San Jose State’s eventful and difficult season had come to an end at the Mountain West Tournament finals. After hearing the #2 seed in the tournament, the Spartans jumped to the finals as Boise State since again forfeited their game against SJSU. Boise State did so knowing their NCAA dream would come to an unceremonious end. However, SJSU volleyball stumbled in the finals.

Despite the court of law ruling in their favor, star player Blaire Fleming struggled to get going against #1 seed Colorado State. The Rams’ defense held strong against attacks from Fleming and other Spartan hitters, while SJSU struggled to counter conference player of the year Malaya Jones. It was after this devasting 3-1 loss that the Spartans coach expressed his frustration.

Todd Kress laments about lost opportunities

“I will not sugarcoat our reality for the last two months,” Todd Kress wrote in his statement to Fox News. The coach continued expressing how his team was willing to play every match. “Our team prepared and was ready to play each match according to established Mountain West and NCAA rules of play. We did not take away anyone’s participation opportunities,” claimed the SJSU volleyball coach.

Kress didn’t shy away from calling out the likes of Southern Utah, Boise State, and others. “Sadly, others who for years have played this same team without incident chose not to play us this season. To be clear, we did not celebrate a single win by forfeiture. Instead, we braced for the fallout.” Kress explained in his statement. The Spartans’ coach believes that it was the forfeitures that harmed the morale of his team.

“I’m more worried about our student-athletes and what they receive and how that’s impacting their mental health,” Kress said in an interview with The National Desk in October. Until the wave of forfeitures, the SJSU volleyball squad was in the midst of a historic nine-game win streak. Coach Kress also claimed that with every forfeiture, the online criticism toward SJSU increased.

However, despite the unfortunate end to SJSU’s 2024 college volleyball season, Todd Kress has continued to stand by the entire team. In fact, the veteran coach who took over in 2023 even praised Brooke Slusser. Yes, the same Slusser who, alongside suspended coach Melissa Batie-Smoose and other conference players, filed a federal lawsuit ahead of the MWC Tournament.

The SJSU volleyball coach’s faith in his team didn’t waver despite the difficulties

Coach Todd Kress admired the resilience of his team amid the criticism throughout the season. When SJSU ended their regular season with a loss, the Spartans coach didn’t express disappointment in this team. Instead, he expressed pride. “Proud of the opportunities that we took advantage of and how we persevered through the season. That’s what I’m most proud of,” said  Coach Kress.

The man behind the SJSU volleyball echoed a similar sentiment even after losing the MWC tournament final. “Our team played their hearts out today, the way they have done all season. I want to recognize and thank our seniors—Alessia [Buffagni], Chandler [Manusky], Brooke [Bryant], Brooke and Blaire,” said Kress, who has cached this squad since 2023.

“For their tremendous efforts on the court all season long. They have all helped us to get where we are,” said Todd Kress. Although Slusser filed a case that could’ve prevented Fleming and possibly the entire team from playing in the MWC tournament, Kress was nothing but praise for the San Jose senior.

And although SJSU didn’t make it to the NCAA Championships, their coach was right about one thing. While discussing the journey of his team post their loss against San Diego, Todd Kress said the story of his team “may not end for a while.” It seems that may very well be the case. Especially after his latest statement.