San Jose State Advances to Mountain West Volleyball Final

LAS VEGAS – In a stunning turn of events, San Jose State has secured its spot in the Mountain West Conference volleyball championship final, thanks to a late-night forfeit by Boise State during the semifinals on Wednesday.

Boise State did not provide a specific explanation for their decision to withdraw, releasing a brief statement that noted the difficulty of their choice. "The decision to not continue to play in the 2024 Mountain West Volleyball Championship tournament was not an easy one,” the statement read. “Our team overcame challenges to earn a place in the tournament and fought hard for their victory against Utah State in the quarterfinals. It is unfortunate that they will forgo this opportunity while we await a more suitable system that serves all athletes better.”

Earlier in the evening, Boise State had accomplished a commendable upset over Utah State, winning the match 3-1. However, their tournament journey was abruptly cut short, amid ongoing controversies surrounding the eligibility of players, which have contributed to the tense atmosphere within the conference this season. Notably, Boise State and four other teams previously opted out of playing against San Jose State during the regular season, leading to an unusual spike in forfeits throughout the league.

In response to the shocking development, the Mountain West Conference confirmed, "Decisions to forfeit matches are at the institutions’ discretion and are considered a loss." The action occurred after the completion of their quarterfinal match, catching many— including the media— by surprise.

Boise State's media relations director, Doug Link, expressed his uncertainty about the situation immediately following their win but chose not to comment when pressed regarding potential external factors influencing the forfeit. “I think we’re playing, but at this point in time, there’s nothing more to say,” he stated.

Looking ahead, San Jose State will now prepare to face either top seed Colorado State or fifth seed San Diego State in the championship match on Saturday, where the victor will earn an automatic entry into the NCAA tournament. San Jose State expressed disappointment over Boise State's forfeiture but is focused on preparing for the impending match, stating, "Our women’s volleyball team is preparing for Saturday’s match and looks forward to competing for a championship."

This season has been marked by significant tension and legal issues, particularly stemming from a lawsuit filed in September by Spartans co-captain Brooke Slusser and other teammates. The lawsuit alleged that a transgender teammate has advantages over opponents, which subsequently led to several conferences with other teams opting to not compete against SJSU due to the controversy. As a result, San Jose State was awarded six byes due to these forfeitures, and entered the semifinals as the No. 2 seed with an overall 12-5 record in the conference.

The stakes have never been higher for the Spartans as they now look to capture the Mountain West title— a coveted goal that not only brings glory but also a crucial gateway to the NCAA tournament. Will they be able to seize the moment and turn this unprecedented situation into an opportunity? Fans and opponents alike are on edge as the championship match approaches!