The road was finally looking clear for San Jose State. Despite the University of Nevada Reno volleyball team forfeiting their match against San Jose State, the team bounced back with two consecutive wins. However, despite their 10-3 conference record on the court, things have not been going smoothly behind the scenes for the Spartans.

Despite UNR’s instance, their volleyball team became the fifth one to forfeit a match against SJSU this season. However, following the Spartans’ victories over Air Force and New Mexico, the team lost its associate coach, Melissa Batie-Smoose. Meanwhile, Boise State has again forfeited their match well ahead of the scheduled contest against the Spartans on November 21.

The Boise State Broncos became one of the first teams to forfeit a match against SJSU on September 28. However, it’s now become the first team to pull out of the home and away game against the Spartans during this year’s Mountain West conference. “Boise State volleyball will not play its scheduled home match on Thursday, Nov. 21 against San Jose State,” read the official statement.

“Per Mountain West Conference policy, the Conference will record the match as a forfeit for Boise State,” the university added. Their latest statement is quite similar to the one they released following their first forfeiture. What’s more? Once again, Boise State refused to elaborate on the reason behind their decision. However, the university doesn’t need to spell out their reasons.

After a 9-match undefeated streak, the transgender accusation against SJSU’s volleyball player Blaire fleeing has derailed the Spartans’ undefeated run. The Broncos canceled their first game shortly after former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines’ accusations surfaced nearly two months ago. However, what’s more surprising is that Boise State seems ready to jeopardize its 2024 Mountain West campaign. With a 7-6 record, the Broncos are sitting in sixth place, with a slim lead on Wyoming. 

Since only the top six teams in the MW conference will qualify for the tournament, forfeiting a second game against the Spartans could cost them dearly. While the second-placed SJSU isn’t facing such a woe, their internal issues seem to have escalated with Melissa Batie-Smoose’s sudden departure and subsequent legal filing against the university.

Associate coach takes drastic step against San Jose State Volleyball

“The associate head coach of the San Jose State University women’s volleyball team is not with the team at this time, and we will not provide further information on this matter,” read the official SJSU statement regarding Melissa Batie-Smoose’s departure. However, Batie-Smoose, who joined the Spartans in 2023, clarified her issues against SJSU in a legal complaint.

According to the news outlet Quillette, Melissa Batie-Smoose filed a 33-page “sworn declaration” with SJSU, the NCAA, and the Mountain West Conference (MWC.) Quillette claims that the former Spartans assistant coach raised two issues in her legal complaint. The coach cited “overt favoritism” toward Blaire Fleming and accused the university of suppressing “expressions of concern.” from others in the team.

And let’s not forget Brooke Slusser, a member of the Spartans, who also took the legal route in September. Amid the initial forfeitures, Slusser joined Riley Gaines in finding a Title IX violation claim against the NCAA. Slusser’s addition to Gaines’ Title IX violation lawsuit raised safety concerns for those playing with and against the transgender athlete.

While Melissa Batie-Smoose’s complaint isn’t part of the lawsuit Riley Gaines filed in May 2024, it’s yet another hurdle for SJSU volleyball. Meanwhile, the Spartans are scheduled to face Wyoming on Thursday, November 14. Besides Boise State, Wyoming also became one of the five teams to forfeit their first match with the Spartans. However, only time will tell if they follow the Broncos and forfeit their second clash with SJSU.