The Colorado State women's volleyball team was willing to play San José State, which has a transgender player, in the Mountain West Conference tournament final, and it ended the Spartans' season.

The Spartans lose to Colorado State in what likely brings to an end San Jose’s season filled with controversy.

The San Jose State University women’s volleyball team is set to face Boise State University Friday at the Mountain West tournament in what would usually be a celebration of athletic prowess and achievement.

San Jose State’s season was marked by forfeits, limited protests and the topic of gender identity becoming a political issue in an election year.

The San José State women's volleyball team lost its bid for the Mountain West Conference championship Saturday, ending a season full of controversy, forfeits and protests.

San Jose State's women's volleyball season ended by loss to Colorado State in the Mountain West tournament final

The Spartans had first-round bye, then advanced to the championship match when Boise State forfeited a semifinal.

Earlier this month, 11 female volleyball players, led by San Jose State co-captain Brooke Slusser, and an assistant coach sued the Mountain West Conference and San Jose State University, alleging the defendants violated the U.S. Constitution and Title IX by allowing a transgender athlete to play for a women’s sports team.

No. 2 seed San Jose State lost to No. 1 seed Colorado State in the Mountain West Conference volleyball final on Saturday at the COX Pavilion in Las Vegas amid an ongoing gender controversy surrounding a Spartans player.