In a dramatic turn of events, seven members of the San Jose State women’s volleyball team have entered the transfer portal, seeking new beginnings after a turbulent season marred by controversy. According to reports from the San Francisco Chronicle, this season took a sharp turn when one player chose to publicly out a transgender teammate, igniting fierce debates both on and off the court.

The players leaving the Spartans include Nayeli T’ia, Mari Lawton, Ava Martin, Laurel Barsocchini, Kiyana Faupula, Jade Epps, and Teya Nguyen. All seven are reportedly aiming for a "fresh restart" as they part ways with the program.

The situation escalated particularly around Brooke Slusser, a player who had been vocal about advocating for the disqualification of a team member identified as a transgender female, raising questions about fairness in women’s sports. Both Slusser and the transgender player are now out of eligibility for the next season.

In terms of performance, the Spartans concluded their season with a record of 14-7 and finished second in the Mountain West Conference, but their hopes for an NCAA tournament appearance were dashed when they lost to Colorado State in the conference tournament final. Complicating matters further, seven of those victories were awarded via forfeit, as four schools—Boise State, Wyoming, Nevada, and Utah State—refused to play against San Jose State.

Boise State’s controversial decision to withdraw from the conference tournament last November was a significant protest action, aimed at safeguarding athlete opportunities while advocating for a more equitable system. The university publicly stated, “[The players] should not have to forgo this opportunity while waiting for a more thoughtful and better system that serves all athletes.”

San Jose State, in response to the ongoing controversy, has maintained that their female volleyball players are eligible to compete under NCAA and Mountain West Conference regulations. According to the NCAA guidelines, transgender female athletes are allowed to compete if they provide documentation showing their testosterone levels have remained within the “normal female reference range for their age group” for at least a year.

In an echo of the ongoing tension, sisters Kiersten and Katelyn Van Kirk from Boise State, along with several other current players in the Mountain West, filed a lawsuit against the conference. Their legal action seeks to ban the transgender player from competition, strips San Jose State of six league wins previously awarded by forfeit, and blocks the team from participating in future tournament play.

As the debate surrounding transgender athletes in sports intensifies, the fallout from this incident at San Jose State raises deep questions about inclusivity, fairness, and the future landscape of women’s athletics—one that could have lasting repercussions not just for the team but for the entire league. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as it unfolds.