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 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.

Twice during the regular season, the Boise State women’s volleyball team took a moral stand by forfeiting matches against San Jose State rather than competing against a player believed to be transgender.

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

Twice during the regular season, the Boise State women’s volleyball team took a moral stand by forfeiting matches against San Jose State rather than competing against a player believed to be transgender.

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

Boise State advanced to the semifinals of the Mountain West women's volleyball tournament by beating Utah State on Wednesday night

The San Jose State Spartans has received six forfeit victories because of boycotts from Mountain West opponents.

Boise State, which twice boycotted regular-season matches with San Jose State, pulled out of the Mountain West women's volleyball tournament Wednesday night even after securing a spot in the semifinals against the Spartans.