### Nevada Women's Volleyball Team Forfeits Match in Protest Against Transgender Athlete Participation

Earlier this month, the University of Nevada women's volleyball team was startled during their pregame meal when their phones buzzed with news that the university intended to proceed with an upcoming match against San Jose State. The controversy centered on San Jose State's alleged inclusion of a transgender player, a topic that had already sparked significant debate among the Nevada players.

Sia Liilii, one of Nevada’s outside hitters, expressed frustration, not just about potentially facing a transgender athlete, but about the lack of communication from university administrators concerning their comfort level with the situation. "We were pretty upset after that statement came out from our university," Liilii told Yahoo Sports. Liilii and her teammates had observed other schools forfeiting matches against San Jose State and had watched social media clips of the player’s powerful spikes.

Faced with this scenario, the team held several meetings to deliberate on their course of action. Many Nevada players felt strongly about not competing against someone they considered to have an unfair physical advantage. "The vast majority of our team decided this is something we wanted to take a stand on," Liilii stated. As a result, the Nevada women's volleyball team decided to forfeit their match against San Jose State, which was scheduled for Oct. 26.

In response to the players' forfeit, the University of Nevada reiterated its position to move forward with the San Jose State match, citing state non-discrimination laws. However, they also emphasized that players who chose not to participate would not face any repercussions.

This protest is part of a broader movement that started gaining traction in September when teams like Boise State, Wyoming, and Utah State also forfeited their matches against San Jose State, albeit without official explanations.

The controversy surrounding San Jose State's player first erupted when a story published by Reduxx alleged her transgender identity. This was subsequently followed by a federal lawsuit filed by Brooke Slusser, a teammate at San Jose State, challenging NCAA policies on transgender athlete participation. Slusser contended that her allegedly transgender teammate's physical strength and spike power posed a safety risk and granted an unfair competitive advantage.

The NCAA’s policy requires transgender women to submit documentation proving their testosterone levels do not exceed typical female reference ranges. Though the San Jose State player in question has fully complied with these rules, the debate has ignited a passionate response from activists, politicians, and even former athletes like CeCé Telfer, the first openly transgender woman to win an NCAA title, who called for greater understanding and respect.

Nevada's decision to forfeit drew mixed reactions but garnered support from state politicians like Governor Joe Lombardo, who emphasized that no student-athlete should feel pressured to play in unsafe conditions. Despite their resolve, the Nevada players acknowledged that future high-stake matches, like the Mountain West tournament, might require further deliberations.

Liilii expressed hope that their protest would lead to lasting changes and emphasized her stance on advocating for fair competition and safety in women's sports. "I hope the future generations won't have to be in the position that me and my teammates are in," she said. For now, it remains clear that the Nevada women's volleyball team is steadfast in their decision to forfeit upcoming games against San Jose State, standing firm in their beliefs.