SJSU v. Nevada volleyball game moves to San Jose over transgender athlete

SAN JOSE, Calif. - The women's volleyball game between San Jose State University and the University of Nevada at Reno has been moved to San Jose.

Members of the Nevada team have said they won't play in the game that was scheduled to be played in Reno on Saturday because San Jose has a transgender player on the roster.

The schools announced the decision Tuesday in a joint statement, with the Mountain West Conference approving the decision.

"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 joint-statement read. 

Before the venue change, a group of Nevada players recently issued a statement saying they would not take the floor for what was to be their home game against the Spartans. 

The Nevada players cited their "right to safety and fair competition." The university, though, reaffirmed at the time the match was still planned and that state law bars forfeiture "for reasons related to gender identity or expression."

There’s still the possibility the match ends as a forfeit should the Wolf Pack elect not to play the Spartans. 

San Jose State has already seen four teams cancel games this season — Southern Utah, Boise State, Wyoming and Utah State. None of the schools explicitly have said why it was forfeiting. All those schools, except Southern Utah, are in the Mountain West.

Political figures from Wyoming, Idaho and Utah have weighed in and suggested the cancelations centered around protecting women’s sports.

Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez said last week she was heartbroken over what has transpired this season surrounding the Spartans and their opponents.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.