BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings volleyball team signed their first recruits of the 2023 class, as three recruits signed letters of intent to join the Yellowjackets in the fall of 2023.
 
Kenzie Nealon from Richland, Wash., Rylee Kogolshak from Hardin, and Julia Gordon from Farmington, Minn., became the first members of the 'Jackets recruiting class. Nealon will become the second member of the roster from Washington, while the local product Kogolshak becomes the third Montana native on the team. Gordon becomes the sole member of the 'Jackets from Minnesota.
 
Kenzie Nealon
Outside Hitter
Richland, Washington
Richland High School
Intended Major: Health and Wellness
 
Nealon joins the Yellowjackets after lettering in three season of varsity volleyball at Richland High School. Standing 6'0", Nealon was listed as captain for her team in the 2022 season. She was twice selected as MCC all-conference second team. On top of her volleyball achievements, she was also on the academic honor roll all four years of high school.
 
Coach Bonner on Nealon: "Kenzie will give us a ton of depth in our pin position. She is dynamic and a true utility player. She is competitive and a go getter and we are so excited that she is joining our yellowjacket volleyball family."


Nealon on choosing MSUB: "I was able to attend an ID camp this past summer at MSUB. After meeting the coaches and current players, I knew this was the program for me. I felt very welcomed and comfortable the entire time I was on campus. The atmosphere created by the coaches and players was positive and energetic which is what I was looking for. I spent my entire summer exploring other colleges and nothing compared to the coaching I received at MSUB. I look forward to furthering my education and I am very excited to be a part of the Yellowjacket family."
 
Rylee Kogolshak
Setter
Hardin, Montana
Billings Senior High School
Intended Major: Undecided
 
Kogolshak comes from local Billings Senior High School, where she lettered in volleyball four years. Earning second team all-conference her sophomore year, and first team all-conference her junior year to pair with a second team all-state award, Kogelshak has been a presence for years on the court, with it all coming to a head with a state championship victory in 2022. Kogolshak was honored for her efforts with first team all-conference and all state nominations.
 
Kogolshak has been academic all-state for two years. In addition to volleyball, she has lettered twice in swimming, winning the state championship as a sophomore in the 100m breaststroke, and once in girls wrestling, finishing in third place in her weight class in 2021.
 
Coach Bonner on Kogolshak: "Rylee is an awesome addition to the program. I have watched Rylee develop over the past couple of years, and I think that she adds strength, a high volleyball IQ, and a ton of athleticism to our program."
 
Kogolshak on choosing MSUB: "I chose MSUB because I wanted to stay local. I am from Hardin Montana and moved to Billings, so I know a lot of people around the area that I wanted to stay around. I love their volleyball program and the school as a whole. I'm very excited for the opportunity to play at MSUB!"
 
Julia Gordon
Middle Blocker
Farmington, Minnesota
Farmington High School
Intended Major: Education
 
Gordon was a three-year varsity letter earner for Micheal Woody's Farmington High volleyball team. She was an all-conference honorable mention in 2021, and an all-conference winner in 2022. A multi-year academic all-state player, Gordon had 477 kills in her high school career, and set the record for single game blocks and single season blocks for her school. Gordon was also a two-year track and field letter earner, participating in high jump and long jump, with a person high of 5'4" in the high jump.
 
Coach Bonner on Gordon: "As soon as Julia stepped on campus, I knew she would be a great fit. She brings a big physical presence to our middle blocker position and will add a ton of speed and power to the team."
 
Gordon on choosing MSUB: "I choose Montana State-Billings because of the strong Teacher Education program and the beautiful location of the campus. In addition, I am thrilled to attend MSUB because of the great culture the volleyball team has and the amazing travel opportunities with the team."