Nevada became the latest team to cancel a women's volleyball game against San Jose State, claiming there were not enough players.
The Wolf Pack was originally scheduled to host San Jose State this weekend, but the Nevada players announced they would refuse to take the court, saying they “refuse to participate in any game that promotes injustice against women.” female athletes”, without providing further details.
Nevada's athletic department had said the program would not withdraw from the game, citing state equity laws, but also said no player would be disciplined if they did not participate.
The game was moved to San Jose “in the interest of both programs,” the teams said in a joint statement, without further explanation, before Nevada decided to resign.
So far this season, Southern Utah, Boise State, Wyoming, Utah State and now Nevada have canceled games against the Spartans. Since Boise State, Wyoming, Utah State and Nevada are members of the Mountain West Conference, those contests are considered losses and count as valuable wins in the league standings for San Jose State.
The Republican governors of Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming have made public statements in support of the cancellations, citing the need for equity in women's sports. Former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee in this year's presidential race, referenced an unnamed volleyball match this week when asked during a Fox News town hall about transgender athletes in women's sports. Neither San Jose State nor the losing teams have confirmed that the school has a trans women's volleyball player.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
