In an unexpected twist that would make even the most seasoned sports drama writer raise an eyebrow, the San Jose State Spartans women’s volleyball team has come out with a win – not on the court, but in a courtroom. Thanks to a judge who decided to make his lunch hour a touch more entertaining, the team will not be eliminated from this week’s Mountain West Tournament. So, grab the popcorn and settle in because this legal showdown is something you won’t want to miss.

The plot thickens as nine players from this hapless team filed a lawsuit claiming that allowing an “alleged” transgender player on their roster creates a competitive imbalance (you know, because female athletes totally haven’t faced enough obstacles as it is), along with a side order of physical danger. But before everyone gets their knee pads in a twist, let’s clarify – it’s still unclear if the player in question is even transgender, but guess what? That doesn’t matter when there’s an opportunity to make headlines.

According to reports, a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Denver, the unsung hero of this saga, upheld San Jose State’s right to compete, stating that there was no substantial evidence presented that would warrant barring them. The plaintiff’s attorneys, who clearly have a penchant for drama, sought to prevent the team from playing altogether, proving once again that lawsuits are the new way to settle scores in the sporting world.

After three years of playing NCAA women’s volleyball, this unnamed player is suddenly at the center of a controversy that has left other teams clutching their pearls, with multiple forfeits coming in hot from Southern Utah, Boise State, Wyoming, Utah State, and Nevada. The players from Nevada got especially spicy, stating they “refuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes.” Ah yes, because nothing screams “defense of women’s sports” like blaming one player for your own losses.

So, what now? Well, the Mountain West Conference Tournament is set to kick off, continuing the ongoing saga through the week. With San Jose State standing as a No. 2 seed, they’ll be hitting the court amidst all this hullabaloo, ready to spike their way to victory, gender debates be damned. Let’s hope the drama stays on the court, but if it spills over, you know we’ll be watching with a front-row seat.