SAN FRANCISCO — The Mountain West Conference concluded there was insufficient evidence to determine misconduct between women’s volleyball players from the Colorado State and San Jose State programs before a match last month after a coach filed a complaint with title IX, alleging that the student-athletes were trying to rig the contest.

San Jose State associate head coach Melissa Batie-Smoose brought her allegations to the Oct. 29 conference, the Mountain West said Saturday, releasing a letter dated Friday from assistant commissioner Bret Gilliland to the two athletic directors of the university, which shares the findings of an investigation. .

“Upon receipt of this information, the Mountain West Conference office, in coordination with both member institutions, immediately initiated a thorough investigation into these serious allegations,” Gilliland wrote.

San Jose State said Saturday that Batie-Smoose is currently away from the team. She alleged that players from each team “conspired to engage in competitive manipulation” during the Oct. 3 game in Fort Collins, Colo., according to Gilliland’s emailed letter, which was shared with The Associated Press by the San Jose State. .

“We appreciate the thorough and impartial investigation conducted by the Mountain West Conference,” the school said in a statement Saturday. “The report is consistent with our internal findings.”

That’s yet another challenge the Spartans faced during a 14-5 season. They beat Colorado State 3-2 at home on Saturday after Oct. 3 marked San Jose State’s first loss after a 9-0 start.

So far this season, Southern Utah, Boise State, Wyoming, Utah State and Nevada have canceled games against the Spartans, with Nevada players saying they “refuse to participate in any game that causes injustice against female athletes,” without providing more details.

Since Boise State, Wyoming, Utah State and Nevada are members of the Mountain West Conference, these contests are considered losses and are considered wins for San Jose State.

In a separate lawsuit filed against the NCAA, the plaintiffs cited unspecified reports claiming there was a transgender player on San Jose State’s volleyball team, even naming her. While some media outlets have reported these and other details, neither San Jose State nor the teams that opted out have confirmed that the school has a transgender women’s volleyball player. The AP is withholding the player’s name because she has not publicly commented on her gender identity and, through school officials, declined an interview request.

Last week, a separate lawsuit was filed in Colorado by players from various schools against the conference and San Jose State officials, asking that the Spartans player not be allowed to participate in the Mountain West volleyball championships, which are held from 27-30 November in Las. Vegas.

San Jose State coach Todd Kress supported the conference in its determination that the Colorado State game was not rigged.

“The findings of the Mountain West investigation into this matter are consistent with our own internal conclusions and my review of the game film with the Colorado State head coach,” Kress said in a statement provided to the AP. “As I have already stated, there are numerous inaccuracies presented in the media regarding this issue and I believe these findings highlight this. From day one, my top priority as head coach of the San Jose State women’s volleyball team has been to present a team that behaves with integrity, and we look forward to continuing our season.”