**Boise State Withdraws from Conference Tournament Over Transgender Athlete Controversy**

In an unprecedented decision, the Boise State women's volleyball team has chosen to withdraw from the Mountain West Conference tournament semifinals, refusing to compete against San Jose State due to concerns over a player believed to be transgender. The announcement comes shortly after Boise State secured a spot in the semifinals with a victory over Utah State. The decision effectively ends the Broncos' season, eliminating their chances of earning the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

In a statement, Boise State expressed the difficulty of the decision and emphasized the team's accomplishments despite earlier forfeitures. "Our team overcame forfeitures to earn a spot in the tournament field and fought for the win over Utah State in the first round on Wednesday. They should not have to forgo this opportunity while waiting for a more thoughtful and better system that serves all athletes," the statement read.

San Jose State, the second seed in the tournament, advances to the Mountain West title game without having to play a single match in the semifinals. The controversy surrounding the San Jose State player gained national attention earlier in the season when Boise State became the first school to forfeit a match against them. The wave of forfeitures was followed by similar actions from Wyoming, Utah State, and Nevada, each decision often praised by local Republican politicians.

The NCAA allows transgender women to compete in women's sports if they meet specific eligibility criteria related to testosterone levels. Despite meeting these criteria, the San Jose State player has faced legal challenges and public scrutiny. A recent lawsuit involving Boise State players aimed to ban the player from the tournament and nullify San Jose State's forfeit wins, but a U.S. District Judge and an appeals court both rejected the injunction.

San Jose State expressed relief over the court decisions and reiterated that all their players meet eligibility requirements. Coach Todd Kress praised his team's resilience in facing the unprecedented scrutiny and negativity this season. "The pain, the conflict, and the relentless negativity directed at this team in the media and the bleachers could have broken us, but it didn't. We kept playing and there may be no bigger achievement than that," Kress said.

Boise State's refusal to play further complicates an already controversial tournament, leaving San Jose State in a unique position as they await their next opponent in the championship match. The team's performance this season, amid the turbulence, has been commendable, finishing second in the conference with several victories obtained via forfeits.

As the controversy continues to unfold, the impact on the players, the teams, and the broader debate surrounding transgender athletes in sports remains significant.