College volleyball team at heart of anti-transgender student athlete debate loses tournament

Author: Alex Cooper

The San Jose State University’s volleyball team, which has been at the center of recent debates surrounding women’s sports, lost in their tournament Saturday. THE SJSU’s team lost to Colorado State 27-25, 25-20, 23-25, 25-16 in the Mountain West tournament final. The loss ended the team’s season.

“Our team played their hearts out today, the way they have done all season,” SJSU head coach Todd Kress said in a statement, according to CNN. “This has been one of the most difficult seasons I’ve ever experienced and I know this is true as well for many of our players and the staff who have been supporting us all along. Maintaining our focus on the court and ensuring the overall safety and well-being of my players amid the external noise have been my priorities.”

For weeks, college teams forfeited games against SJSU over a supposed transgender woman on the team. Even at the tournament Boise State withdrew — it boycotted playing against SJSU twice this season, the Associated Press reports.

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The news wire notes that the school didn’t explain its withdrawal, but it is one of the schools involved in a lawsuit that tried to block the player from playing in the tournament. Last week, a judge ruled the player could still participate. The decision was upheld by a federal appeals court only a day later.

SJSU received six forfeits this regular season because of boycotts against the player identified as transgender. Besides Boise State, Wyoming, Utah State, Nevada, and Southern Utah all refused to play SJSU.

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The player has never discussed her gender identity publically. The AP reports that the school has also not confirmed its player is transgender.

There were two protestors at the tournament on Friday, according to the outlet. None were visible Saturday during SJSU’s game.

“I will not sugarcoat our reality for the last two months. Our team prepared and was ready to play each match according to established Mountain West and NCAA rules of play,” Kress said, CNN reports. “We did not take away anyone’s participation opportunities. Sadly, others who for years have played this same team without incident chose not to play us this season.

“To be clear, we did not celebrate a single win by forfeiture. Instead, we braced for the fallout. Each forfeiture announcement unleashed appalling, hateful messages individuals chose to send directly to our student-athletes, our coaching staff, and many associated with our program.”

Original Article on The Advocate
Author: Alex Cooper