Colorado State Stands Firm: Rams to Face San Jose State in Mountain West Volleyball Final Amid Controversy
LAS VEGAS — The Mountain West volleyball tournament has been anything but ordinary this year, and Colorado State head coach Emily Kohan made it clear her team is ready to face the challenge head-on. After securing their spot in the final, the Rams will take the court against San Jose State on Saturday, refusing to join the growing list of teams that have forfeited matches against the Spartans this season.
“It’s been a really complex and emotional situation for us this season,” Kohan said after her team’s semifinal victory. “Unless you’re in those rooms having those hard conversations and making those hard decisions, I don’t think you truly know how this feels. I also think regardless of your opinion on it, there’s some room here to acknowledge that there’s been a lot of young people showing courage all season long.”
Colorado State advanced to the Mountain West final after defeating fifth-seeded San Diego State in a hard-fought match, 20-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-23. Now, with an automatic bid to the 64-team NCAA tournament on the line, the Rams are set to face a San Jose State team that has been at the center of a season-long controversy.
Boise State Withdraws Amid Growing Boycotts
The drama surrounding San Jose State reached a boiling point earlier this week when Boise State, which had already boycotted two regular-season matches against the Spartans, withdrew from the tournament entirely. The Broncos made the decision Wednesday night, just hours after defeating Utah State to secure a spot in the semifinals against San Jose State.
While Boise State did not explicitly state the reason for their withdrawal, the move came on the heels of a lawsuit filed in Colorado by players from various schools. The lawsuit called for a San Jose State player to be barred from participating in the tournament, citing unspecified reports that the player is transgender. The player, who has not spoken publicly about her identity, was named in the lawsuit, but San Jose State has declined to comment due to federal privacy laws.
Earlier this week, U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews ruled that the player was allowed to compete, a decision that was upheld by a federal appeals court the following day. Despite the legal rulings, the controversy has continued to divide the conference.
Forfeits and Statements: A Season of Turmoil
San Jose State has received six forfeit victories this season due to boycotts from opponents, including Mountain West members Wyoming, Utah State, Nevada, and Southern Utah. Nevada’s players issued a statement earlier this season, saying they “refuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes,” though they did not provide further details.
Boise State’s athletic department echoed similar sentiments in their statement Wednesday night, saying, “Our team should not have to forgo this opportunity while waiting for a more thoughtful and better system that serves all athletes.”
Despite the mounting boycotts, San Jose State entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed, earning a first-round bye. Now, they’ll face top-seeded Colorado State in a final that has become about much more than just volleyball.
Colorado State’s Stand
For Kohan and her team, the decision to play wasn’t an easy one, but it was a deliberate choice to confront the issue rather than pass it along to others. “This can stop with us,” Kohan said. “We’re not going to pass these difficult conversations on to the NCAA committee or any other team to have those crying conversations in the hotel.”
Her words reflect the emotional toll this season has taken on players, coaches, and fans alike. The controversy has sparked heated debates about fairness, inclusion, and the future of women’s sports, with no easy answers in sight.
Protests and Public Reaction
The controversy has also drawn attention outside the volleyball court. On Friday, two protestors from Davis, California, stood outside Cox Pavilion during Colorado State’s semifinal match against San Diego State. They voiced their support for the teams that have forfeited matches against San Jose State, arguing that the Spartans have an unfair athletic advantage.
Meanwhile, the participation of transgender women in women’s sports has become a hot-button political issue, further fueling the debate. With the NCAA tournament looming, the spotlight on San Jose State and the Mountain West conference is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
What’s Next?
As the Rams and Spartans prepare to face off in Saturday’s final, the stakes couldn’t be higher. For Colorado State, it’s a chance to claim the Mountain West title and secure their spot in the NCAA tournament. For San Jose State, it’s an opportunity to prove themselves on the court amid a season overshadowed by controversy.
Regardless of the outcome, one thing is certain: this year’s Mountain West volleyball tournament will be remembered for far more than just the action on the court.
- Key Matchup: Colorado State vs. San Jose State
- What’s at Stake: Automatic bid to the NCAA tournament
- Controversy: Boycotts and legal battles over a transgender player
Stay tuned as the drama unfolds in what promises to be an unforgettable final.
Originally Written by: Associated Press
