Volleyball game moved to San Jose after Nevada players refused to play

Saturday’s scheduled Mountain West Conference women’s volleyball match between Nevada and San Jose State has been moved from Reno, Nevada, to San Jose, California, the schools said in a joint statement.

‘The decision to move the location of the match has been made in the best interest of both programs and the well-being of the student-athletes, coaches, athletic staff and spectators,’ the statement said. ‘The decision has been made with the approval of the Mountain West Conference.’

The move comes after Nevada athletes had said they will not play San Jose State.

Nevada volleyball captain Sia Liilii told the Reno Gazette Journal on Oct. 15 that the team would not play over concerns about reports that a transgender player is on the San Jose team.

San Jose State has not commented on the gender of any player on its team and has said it complies with all NCAA and Mountain West Conference policies.

The university had told the RGJ on Monday that the team had still planned to travel to Nevada unless something changed.

‘At this time, unless something changes, SJSU volleyball plans to travel to Nevada for the scheduled match in order not to risk our team taking a forfeit,’ said Michelle Smith McDonald, senior director of media relations at San Jose State.

Nevada has remained steadfast that it couldn’t legally cancel the game, but it supports the decision of the players who have decided not to play.

With the venue change, Nevada would forfeit the game it doesn’t show up on Saturday.

Four colleges have refused to play San Jose State: Boise State, Southern Utah, Utah State and Wyoming.