After weeks of controversy surrounding the Nevada women’s volleyball team, the Oct. 26 match against San Jose State has been moved from Reno to San Jose.
Nevada released a joint statement with San Jose State via email. Both schools mutually agreed on the decision, and the Mountain West Conference approved the relocation of the match.
“The Mountain West Conference women’s volleyball match between Nevada and San José State University scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 26, has been moved from Reno, Nevada, to San José, California,” Nevada and San Jose State Athletics said. “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 decision has been made with the approval of the Mountain West Conference.”
The move will keep San Jose State from traveling up to Reno after a majority of Nevada’s volleyball team voted to forfeit the match over an alleged transgender player on San Jose State’s roster.
Despite the player vote, Nevada released a statement on Oct. 14 stating that the match would still be held as planned. Brian Sandoval, university president, released his own statement a few days later, explaining that Nevada can’t forfeit the match because of Section 24 in the Nevada Constitution.
Nevada Athletics also said any player who decides not to play will not be punished. The match’s relocation furthers the possibility that it will not be played.
A report made to the Idaho Statesman stated that Jeff Konya, San Jose State athletic director, emailed Jeremiah Dickey, Boise State athletic director, about requesting the Broncos to pay San Jose State $1,250 in lost revenue/travel expenses.
Now that San Jose State doesn’t have to travel to Reno, Nevada won’t be on the hook for its travel expenses if the match is canceled.
This news also comes after Joey Gilbert, a local criminal justice attorney and UNR alumni, said that multiple Nevada volleyball players were considering filing a lawsuit against the university.
Dominic Gutierrez can be reached via email dominicgutierrez@unr.edu or via X @d_m_g_16
