The women’s volleyball team at the center of a national debate over gender and sports advanced to the conference championship after Boise State refused to play.

The Broncos had already forfeited two matches against the Spartans based on moral grounds. Now Boise State has done so a third time with a lot more at stake.

The issue resurfaced after San Jose State’s fast start to the 2024 season. The Spartans were initially scheduled to face Southern Utah as part of the Santa Clara Tournament on Sept. 14, but the match was abruptly canceled. Boise State elected not to play its scheduled Mountain West Conference match against San Jose State on Sept. 28.

After defeating Utah State in the quarter-finals, the BSU women's volleyball team has announced that it will not participate in the semi-finals against San Jose State in the Mountain West Volleyball Championship Tournament.

San Jose State can play in the Mountain West Conference tournament — but when will they? A team that previously boycotted at least one match against the San Jose State women’s volleyball

San Jose State University’s volleyball team is the latest flash point in a dispute about transgender players in women’s sports.

A federal appeals court has upheld a ruling that allows a San Jose State women’s volleyball team member to play in the Mountain West Conference tournament after complaints said she should be ineligible on grounds that she’s transgender.

The Broncos have already forfeited two matches against the Spartans based on moral grounds. Now Boise State must decide whether to do it a third time with a lot more at stake.

Boise State forfeited its two regular-season matches against San Jose State after reports that the Spartans had a transgender player.

Boise State withdrew rather than play San Jose State, which received six forfeit victories because of boycotts from Mountain West opponents.