December 1st 2024.
In an intense showdown at the Mountain West women's volleyball final, top-seeded Colorado State emerged victorious over San Jose State, winning three sets to one. It was a bittersweet moment for the Spartans, who had endured a tumultuous season filled with controversy and uncertainty. Coach Todd Kress expressed his pride and admiration for his team, acknowledging the challenges they faced throughout the season.
Kress stated, "This has been one of the toughest seasons I have ever experienced, and I know that my players and staff feel the same way. We have faced numerous obstacles, but we remained determined and prepared for each match according to the established rules. It was disappointing to see that some teams, who have played us in the past without any issues, chose not to play us this season."
He continued, "Despite the disappointments, we did not celebrate any of our wins by default. Instead, we braced ourselves for the backlash that followed. Our players and coaching staff received despicable and hateful messages from individuals associated with our program. It was a difficult time for everyone involved."
The Spartans made a statement before the match that neither Kress nor any of the players would be available for postgame interviews. Despite their efforts, they were unable to capitalize on a lead in the first and second sets, ultimately losing both. They managed to bounce back and take the third set, but it was not enough to secure the win. Colorado State clinched the Mountain West title and the conference's automatic NCAA tournament berth with a 25-16 victory in the fourth set.
Blaire Fleming led the Spartans in the loss, recording 17 kills, three digs, and a block. Nayeli Ti'a also put up an impressive performance with 12 kills and nine digs. For Colorado State, Malaya Jones dominated with 26 kills, nine digs, and three blocks, while Emery Herman contributed 16 digs.
San Jose State was awarded the second seed in the conference tournament after receiving six wins in conference play due to other teams refusing to play against them. The reason for these refusals was not confirmed, but it was believed to be related to a Title IX lawsuit filed by SJSU co-captain Brooke Slusser in September. The lawsuit aimed to disqualify one of her teammates on the basis of being transgender. Despite Slusser and eight other players filing an emergency motion to prevent the player from competing, a federal judge denied their request.
During the match, there were only two protestors present, and they did not return for the final game. It was a disappointing turn of events for the Spartans, who had started the season strong with a 9-0 record before facing their first loss against Colorado State on October 3rd. Although they managed to split the season series with CSU, they were unable to come out on top in the final match.
In total, San Jose State ended the season with a record of 7-5 overall and 6-6 in the Mountain West after counting both regular and postseason games. It was a rollercoaster of a season for the Spartans, but they remained resilient and determined until the very end. As they look towards the future, they will continue to face challenges and overcome them, determined to come back stronger next season.
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