The Colorado State women's volleyball team was willing to play San José State, which has a transgender player, in the Mountain West Conference tournament final, and it ended the Spartans' season.

The San Jose State University women’s volleyball team is set to face Boise State University Friday at the Mountain West tournament in what would usually be a celebration of athletic prowess and achievement.

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.

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 San Jose State women’s volleyball team continues to face nationwide criticism from people who are claim that the club has a transgender player on the roster. Amid the controversy, several teams have already boycotted their games against San Jose State in recent months.

The decision amid a national transgender controversy involving Blaire Fleming, a redshirt senior who joined the Spartans in 2022.

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.

Multiple teams elected not to play against San Jose State this season amid claims the team had a transgender player. Mountain West schools Utah State, Nevada, Boise State and Wyoming refused to play the Spartans, resulting in forfeits. Nonconference opponent Southern Utah also elected to forfeit.

The controversy surrounding Blaire Fleming, San Jose State University's standout volleyball player, has reignited debates about transgender athletes in women’s sports. With the NCAA Mountain West tournament final on the horizon,