Houk Adds Trio to Bobcat Volleyball Program
11/12/2025 6:15:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Signing with MSU are Taylor McDonald, a 6-1 middle blocker/outside hitter from Valley Center, Kan., Elli Esko, a 5-11 outside hitter from Huntington Beach, Calif., and McKenna Kimbell, a 6-2 middle blocker from Agoura Halls, Calif.
Third-year Montana State head volleyball coach Matt Houk has announced the addition of three high school standouts that will join the Bobcat program for the 2026 season.
Signing with MSU are Taylor McDonald, a 6-1 middle blocker/outside hitter from Valley Center, Kan., Elli Esko, a 5-11 outside hitter from Huntington Beach, Calif., and McKenna Kimbell, a 6-2 middle blocker from Agoura Halls, Calif.
McDonald is a four-time letterwinner at Valley Center High School and was a first-team Art Valley Chisholm Trail League selection in 2024 and was a second team pick as a sophomore. The No. 14-ranked player in Kansas by Prepdig.com, she holds the Hornets' single-season and career blocking records. McDonald has twice been named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association watchlist. She is also a two-time Wichita Area All-Metro selection, including first-team in 2024, and third team in 2023.
"Taylor is an extremely gifted and physical athlete," Houk said. "She is versatile and can play any one of the three front row positions. Taylor is a shutdown blocker with the ability to swing for points as well. She is the kind of athlete that has a chance to make an early impact. Taylor will graduate early and join us in January which will smooth out her transition into college athletics."
McDonald played club ball with Shockwave Volleyball Academy. McDONALD HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Esko is a four-time letterwinner at Huntington beach High School where she was a First-Team Sunset League honoree as a junior. She had helped the Oilers to a pair of Sunset League titles. In addition, the three-time Sunset League Scholar athlete, was an All-Surf League honorable mention choice in both indoors and beach volleyball. As a junior, Esko recorded 518 kills, 234 digs, 62 aces, and 56 blocks.
"I couldn't be more excited for Elli to join our program," Houk said. "She is a high caliber volleyball player and human. She's an outside that can play all the way around. Elli handles first contact at a high level and she also will bring power and range to the position. On top of all of that she is a high IQ player – she sees and reads the game with the maturity of a upperclassmen."
Esko played with Sunshine Volleyball Club. ESKO HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Kimbell, who preps at Oaks Christian High School, is a two-year letterwinner for the Lions. Oaks Christian is currently 24-4 overall and 8-1 in league play. A four-time academic scholar athlete, Kimbell was named the team's most improved player, last fall.
"McKenna will bring length and speed to the middle," Houk said. "She knows how to compete and win, as she comes from a great high school and club program. She can run off both one foot and two feet which will allow her to be versatile in the middle of the court for us. McKenna's ceiling is very high, and Bobcat nation is going be very excited to watch her growth and success over the course of her career."
Kimbell also played with Sunshine Volleyball Club. KIMBELL HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Signing with MSU are Taylor McDonald, a 6-1 middle blocker/outside hitter from Valley Center, Kan., Elli Esko, a 5-11 outside hitter from Huntington Beach, Calif., and McKenna Kimbell, a 6-2 middle blocker from Agoura Halls, Calif.
McDonald is a four-time letterwinner at Valley Center High School and was a first-team Art Valley Chisholm Trail League selection in 2024 and was a second team pick as a sophomore. The No. 14-ranked player in Kansas by Prepdig.com, she holds the Hornets' single-season and career blocking records. McDonald has twice been named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association watchlist. She is also a two-time Wichita Area All-Metro selection, including first-team in 2024, and third team in 2023.
"Taylor is an extremely gifted and physical athlete," Houk said. "She is versatile and can play any one of the three front row positions. Taylor is a shutdown blocker with the ability to swing for points as well. She is the kind of athlete that has a chance to make an early impact. Taylor will graduate early and join us in January which will smooth out her transition into college athletics."
McDonald played club ball with Shockwave Volleyball Academy. McDONALD HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Esko is a four-time letterwinner at Huntington beach High School where she was a First-Team Sunset League honoree as a junior. She had helped the Oilers to a pair of Sunset League titles. In addition, the three-time Sunset League Scholar athlete, was an All-Surf League honorable mention choice in both indoors and beach volleyball. As a junior, Esko recorded 518 kills, 234 digs, 62 aces, and 56 blocks.
"I couldn't be more excited for Elli to join our program," Houk said. "She is a high caliber volleyball player and human. She's an outside that can play all the way around. Elli handles first contact at a high level and she also will bring power and range to the position. On top of all of that she is a high IQ player – she sees and reads the game with the maturity of a upperclassmen."
Esko played with Sunshine Volleyball Club. ESKO HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Kimbell, who preps at Oaks Christian High School, is a two-year letterwinner for the Lions. Oaks Christian is currently 24-4 overall and 8-1 in league play. A four-time academic scholar athlete, Kimbell was named the team's most improved player, last fall.
"McKenna will bring length and speed to the middle," Houk said. "She knows how to compete and win, as she comes from a great high school and club program. She can run off both one foot and two feet which will allow her to be versatile in the middle of the court for us. McKenna's ceiling is very high, and Bobcat nation is going be very excited to watch her growth and success over the course of her career."
Kimbell also played with Sunshine Volleyball Club. KIMBELL HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Matt Houk Introductory Press Conference
Wednesday, January 18
Daniel Jones Weekly Press Conference
Monday, November 15
Bobcat Classic: Arkansas vs. Portland
Saturday, September 04
Bobcat Classic: Arkansas vs. Utah State
Friday, September 03
