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.

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.

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.

A federal judge ruled that the player, who is at the center of a controversy over transgender athletes, can participate in a women’s volleyball conference tournament this week.

The Broncos have already forfeited two matches against the Spartans based on moral grounds. Now Boise State must decide whether to do it a third time with a lot more at stake.

A federal appeals court has upheld a ruling that allows a San Jose State women’s volleyball team member to play in the Mountain West Conference tournament after complaints said she should be ineligible on grounds that she’s transgender.

Boise State University has decided to withdraw from the Mountain West women's volleyball tournament despite securing a spot in the semifinals against the Spartans.

A judge has rejected a request to block a San Jose State women’s volleyball team member from playing in a conference tournament on grounds that she’s transgender.