Boise State secured a spot in the semifinals of the Mountain West women's volleyball tournament after defeating Utah State in a thrilling match on Wednesday night. However, the Broncos have not yet confirmed their participation in the upcoming game against San Jose State, the second-seeded team in the conference tournament.
San Jose State, which received six forfeit victories due to boycotts from Mountain West opponents, earned a first-round bye. Boise State, seeded sixth, had forfeited both of its regular-season matches against the Spartans.
Boise State's spokesperson mentioned that no decision has been finalized regarding their participation in the upcoming match. The team's coach, Shawn Garus, is expected to address the media about their recent victory over Utah State, while players have not been made available for comments.
The uncertainty surrounding Boise State's decision has left the tournament schedule in limbo. If San Jose State proceeds to play and potentially wins against Boise State or advances through another forfeit, they will face either top-seeded Colorado State or fifth-seeded San Diego State in the championship match on Saturday.
San Jose State's coach was present at the Boise State-Utah State match but did not provide any comments. The Spartans are anticipated to release a statement once more information is available regarding Boise State's intentions.
Several teams, including Boise State, Wyoming, Utah State, and Nevada, canceled games against San Jose State this season. Nevada players cited concerns about injustice against female athletes as the reason for their boycott.
Recent legal actions have also impacted the tournament, with a lawsuit filed against the conference and San Jose State officials regarding the participation of a transgender player on the Spartans' volleyball team. Despite court rulings allowing the player to compete, the controversy remains unresolved.
Wyoming and Nevada did not qualify for the tournament, further highlighting the complexities surrounding the event. The participation of transgender women in women's sports has emerged as a contentious issue, sparking debates both on and off the court.
As the tournament progresses, the focus remains on the games ahead and the ongoing discussions surrounding inclusivity and fairness in collegiate sports.
For more college sports news, visit AP college sports.
