San Diego State’s women’s volleyball team released a statement on Friday suggesting it is willing to participate in a potential Mountain West Tournament final match against San Jose State. The statement comes two days after Boise State forfeited its semifinal match to the Spartans amid a national controversy over a trans athlete. 

San Diego State will take on top-seeded Colorado State in the semifinal on Friday night for the chance to face San Jose State for the conference championship in Las Vegas, Nevada. The program said the team has made a “decision to play.”

“We love playing the sport of volleyball. We remain focused on continuing our strong start to the season and competing for a Mountain West championship. Our decision to play is not intended to be any kind of statement besides demonstrating our commitment to volleyball,” the statement read. 

The program also announced that players will not be doing any media interviews throughout the tournament. 

San Diego State played two matches against San Jose State this year, sweeping the Spartans by winning both matches. San Diego State dominated San Jose State in straight sets on the Spartans’ home floor on October 10. The rematch in San Diego on November 9 saw the Aztecs in three sets to one. 

San Jose State’s trans player Blaire Fleming still led both games in kills, but San Diego State was able to overcome it both times. 

Meanwhile, Boise State, forfeited both regular season matches to San Jose State, and were one of four conference opponents to do so in the regular season. Wyoming, Utah State and Nevada also forfeited regular season matches to San Jose State, as Boise State and Wyoming gave up two matches each.

San Jose State had six conference wins added to its record as a result of those forfeits, earning the No. 2 seed in the tournament. 

A federal judge had the ability to prevent Flaming from competing in the tournament but ruled to allow it instead. Judge Kato Crews in Colorado, appointed by President Biden in January, denied a motion for injunctive relief in a lawsuit by college volleyball players against the conference.

SJSU TRANSGENDER VOLLEYBALL SCANDAL: TIMELINE OF ALLEGATIONS, POLITICAL IMPACT AND A RAGING CULTURE MOVEMENT

A dozen women jointly filed the suit against the Mountain West and its commissioner, alleging violations of Title IX and their First Amendment rights. Among the women are SJSU co-volleyball captain Brooke Slusser and two former Spartans as well as athletes from other Mountain West schools. 

Fleming’s own teammate Brooke Slusser is involved in that lawsuit and another over Fleming’s presence on the team. Slusser previously told Fox News Digital that the situation involving the possibility of teams forfeiting against them in the tournament was something that distracted them in recent weeks. 

“We’re just mostly wondering, are teams even gonna play us, period, if we go there? Because of just everything that’s happened this season,” Slusser said. “It seems like every few days it looks like it’ll be a fine day and everything’s normal, and then something else happens. So, I truly do think everyone’s just kind of taking things day by day and taking the punches as they come.”

A detailed view of the San Diego State Aztecs logo at midcourt before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at Viejas Arena.  (Orlando Ramirez-USA Today Sports)

Colorado State, who will have the higher-seeded advantage against San Diego State on Friday night, also participated in two matchups against San Jose State in the regular season despite the ongoing controversy. 

San Diego State split its two meetings against Colorado State in the regular season. The Aztecs won the first matchip in a decisive fifth set in San Diego on October 17, then lost in straight sets in Colorado on November 2. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Kelly Skipper coached DeShaun Foster at UCLA.

Jim Skipper coached Foster with the Carolina Panthers.

Tim Skipper would like to teach Foster a thing or two at the Rose Bowl.

It’s nothing personal, it’s just that being considered part of the family only goes so far in circumstances like these. A victory over Foster’s Bruins on Saturday afternoon just might land Tim Skipper a permanent job.

After being made the interim coach before the season when Jeff Tedford stepped away for health reasons, Skipper has guided the Bulldogs to a 6-5 record and bowl eligibility. Fresno State posted its best victory of the season last weekend when it handed Colorado State its first Mountain West Conference loss.

The last time Skipper faced Foster on this field, the latter prevailed. Foster ran for 140 yards and two touchdowns during UCLA’s 24-21 victory over Fresno State in September 2000. Skipper, a middle linebacker for the Bulldogs, made one tackle for loss that day.

There’s been nothing but handshakes and hugs ever since given their family ties. Kelly Skipper, who was Foster’s running backs coach with the Bruins, said he still calls Foster to get his evaluations on West Coast running backs. Jim Skipper, who was Foster’s running backs coach with the Panthers, has a photo of Foster diving into the end zone in Super Bowl XXXVIII in what he described as “my little man cave” inside his home in Gilbert, Ariz.

Jim Skipper called this week to deliver some bad news: He’s not coming to the game.

“I think it’s just a little too emotional, you know, you got his son and then his godson on the other side,” Foster said with a laugh. “He wished me luck and I’m sure he told Tim the same thing.”

Before the season, Jim Skipper called the matchup “a win-win. … It’s going to be a nail-biter, I know that.”

Here are five things to watch when the Bruins (4-7) face the Bulldogs at 12:30 p.m. PST in a game televised by the Big Ten Network:

It’s Thanksgiving, so I wanted to give thanks for the 2024 MLB season, which saw the best team in the regular season — the Los Angeles Dodgers — go on to win the World Series, but their impressive run was only one of many things that will stick with me.

Here’s to the people, teams, moments and milestones that made it a special year. These are 24 reasons I’m thankful for MLB this year, and please share your own in the comments section. Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families!

1. Freddie Freeman, who hammered a 10th-inning walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the World Series, giving us yet another lifetime memory to go with the October blasts by Kirk Gibson, David Freese, Carlton Fisk, Joe Carter and company.

2. The MVP seasons of Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani. Judge had one of the best individual seasons in history, slashing .322/.458/.701 with a league-leading 58 home runs, 144 RBIs and 10.8 bWAR. Ohtani opened the 50-50 Club in unbelievable fashion, becoming the first player to hit 54 home runs and steal 59 bases in a season, while posting a 190 OPS+ and 9.2 WAR.

3. The Diamondbacks, who started the season by breaking the modern-era record for most runs scored in an inning on Opening Day, with 14 against the Rockies.

4. Elly De La Cruz, who became the first player to hit a 450-foot home run and an inside-the-park homer in the same game, on April 8 against the Milwaukee Brewers.

5. Gunnar Henderson, who became the youngest player in major-league history to hit 10 home runs before May 1.

6. Juan Soto, who became the first major leaguer to walk 669 times before he celebrated his 26th birthday, breaking the record held by Mickey Mantle.

GO DEEPER

Ranking Juan Soto’s free-agent suitors: Which team will sign him? And for how much?

7. Francisco Lindor, who became the first shortstop to hit at least 25 home runs and steal 25 bases in three seasons (2018, ’23, ’24). Oh, and one of those homers broke up a no-hitter in the ninth, tying a game in Toronto the Mets somehow went on to win.

8. This year’s trade deadline. Some called it a “dudline,” but it still delivered: The Dodgers acquired Jack Flaherty, Tommy Edman and Michael Kopech; the Padres landed Tanner Scott; the Royals got Lucas Erceg; the Yankees traded for Jazz Chisholm Jr.; the Astros picked up Yusei Kikuchi. All of those trades were significant in helping their respective teams make the playoffs.

9. The emergence of so many talented young position players, from Jackson Merrill to Jackson Chourio to Colton Cowser to Austin Wells to Wilyer Abreu, among others.

Paul Skenes’ future is bright. (Charles LeClaire / Imagn Images)

10. Paul Skenes — who started the All-Star Game in his first season — and Luis Gil, who both wowed on the mound and pitched their way to Rookie of the Year honors.

GO DEEPER

Paul Skenes Ks Juan Soto, Aaron Judge to cap most dominant rookie pitching season in 50 years

11. Speaking of debuts, let’s hear it for new leadership in Baltimore, as David Rubenstein became the Orioles’ principal owner. Hopefully the ownership change will lead to more resources for a fan base that has deserved better.

12. Chris Sale, who had a remarkable comeback season that led to the first Cy Young Award of his career. And Tarik Skubal, another first-time Cy Young winner, who authored the best season of any starting pitcher in the sport.

13. Luis Arraez, who became the first player in major-league history to win three consecutive batting titles with three different teams — the Twins, Marlins and Padres.

14. Emmanuel Clase, who had one of the most dominant seasons ever by a closer, with a 0.61 ERA over 74 games.

GO DEEPER

Baggarly: It’s time for the BBWAA to add a Reliever of the Year Award

15. The Skenes-Ohtani matchup on June 5: Skenes strikes him out on three pitches in the first, then Ohtani goes yard in his next at-bat. A special moment of stars squaring off.

16. There were four no-hitters to celebrate. Hat tip to Ronel Blanco of the Astros, Dylan Cease of the Padres, Blake Snell of the Giants, and Shota Imanaga, Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge, who threw a combined no-no for the Cubs.

17. I’m thankful that Buster Posey, who came out of retirement after winning three World Series as a player, decided to take on the challenge — and long hours — of running a baseball operations department, for his San Francisco Giants. The game is a better place when former players like him give back.

18. A warm welcome back to future Hall of Fame Manager Terry Francona, who came out of retirement to sign a three-year contract to manage the Cincinnati Reds. It’ll be good to see Tito back in the dugout.

GO DEEPER

Terry Francona introduced as Reds manager: ‘It just felt right’ to return to Cincinnati

19. Props to the Kansas City Royals, who won 30 more games this year — improving from 56-106 in 2023 to 86-76 in 2024 — and made the playoffs. A turnaround for the ages.

20. Speaking of turnarounds, a hat tip to two teams that put together signature rallies after subpar starts: the OMG Mets, who took their fans on a wild ride, making the playoffs on the final day of the regular season and then advancing to the NLCS; and the Detroit Tigers, who went from trade-deadline sellers to “pitching chaos” postseason participants, making the playoffs, for the first time in a decade, in dramatic fashion — and winning a series to boot.

21. On the other hand, I’m thankful there is no relegation in MLB, otherwise the White Sox would no longer be part of the big leagues after the worst season I’ve seen in my lifetime. Here’s to turning the page.

Joey Votto called it a career — and what a career it was. (Andy Lyons / Getty Images)

22. Let’s tip our caps to the stars of the game who decided to retire, from Joey Votto to Stephen Strasburg to Cole Hamels to Kevin Kiermaier to Brandon Crawford.

GO DEEPER

How Joey Votto knew it was time — ‘I’m expired’ — and what he thinks could be next

23. And let’s give a standing O to the city of Oakland, which capped 57 years of major-league baseball in the Coliseum. There were so many things that made baseball in Oakland special and so many superstars in green and gold — from Reggie Jackson to Rickey Henderson to Catfish Hunter to Rollie Fingers to Dennis Eckersley to Vida Blue to Dave Stewart to Mark McGwire — who made their mark on the game.

GO DEEPER

Thank you, Oakland A’s

24. Finally, and most importantly, I’m thankful for the fans of baseball, the very best in the whole wide world!

(Top photo of Freddie Freeman: Alex Slitz / Getty Images)