Teddi Esko is entering her 21st year as the Head Coach of Women’s Volleyball at Rio Hondo College (RHC). Since 2003 Esko, has raised the bar of expectations, performance, and confidence within the program.  She has provided a program that is committed to academic and athletic success.  The vast majority of Coach Esko’s student-athletes transfer to four-year universities to continue their academic and athletic career, sending players across the nation to states including New York, Vermont, Delaware, Kansas, North Dakota, Arizona, and California. 

Last year (2023), Esko led the Roadrunners to one of its finest seasons in program history. Rio Hondo wrapped up an amazing regular season with a 13-6 overall record. After starting the year 0-3, the Roadrunners went on to win 13 of their final 16 matches, including back-to-back upset victories over a pair of state-ranked opponents.

On Oct. 14, Rio Hondo knocked off then No. 10-ranked Pasadena City College at home and followed that with a five-set triumph at No. 10 and eventual South Coast Conference champion Mt. San Antonio College on Oct. 19. The two victories were a part of a season-long seven-match winning streak.

The Roadrunners closed out the South Coast Conference schedule in second place with a 9-3 mark and were ranked No. 20 in Nov. 7 California Community College Women's Volleyball Coaches Association (CCCWVCA) State Poll. Rio Hondo advanced to the second round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs and ended the season with a 14-7 overall record. Esko was named South Coast Conference Coach of the Year.

In 2013, Coach Esko started the beach volleyball program, providing the dual-sport collegiate opportunity for her student-athletes and increasing transfer and retention rates. 

Esko earned Coach of the Year in 2010 and 2015 in the Foothill Conference and South Coast Conference Coach of the Year in 2019, 2022 and 2023. SoCal Regional Coach of the Year in 2023

Esko is a member of AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association), where she serves as a Mentor Coach for the Match Point Program.  She is also very active in the CCCWVCA and CCCBVCA, serving as the conference representative and Beach Association executive board member/secretary.

Esko is also a Professor of Kinesiology at RHC and instructs the Principles of Strength and Conditioning and Sports Nutrition classes and is a certified online instructor with expertise in distance education course development and instruction. In addition, she serves on the Kinesiology Advisory board for Career education and training. 

Coach Esko earned a B.S.E in Kinesiology and Health from Arkansas State University. After her collegiate career, she attended California State University Dominguez Hills and obtained a Master’s Degree in Administration and Physical Education. 

COACHING EXPERIENCE

• 2003–present Rio Hondo College (Indoor & Beach)
  • Southern California Regional Coach of the Year 2023
  • Coach of the Year 2012, 2015, 2019, 2022 & 2023
  • SoCal Regional Playoffs Advancements
  • 2023 SoCal Elite 8 & State Sweet 16
• 2021-present-APEX1 VBC 
  • 2023-SCVA Power League Regional Champions 16U Division
  • 2022 SCVA Soiree Gold Medal 15U division
• 2014-2016-Santiago Canyon College (Men’s Golf)
  • 2015 Finished 3^rd in the Orange Empire Conference & 5^th at SoCal Regional Playoffs
  • 2015 Lead 2 golfers to the CCCAA State Championships Tournament
  • 2016 Finished 2^nd in the Orange Empire Conference & SoCal Regionals Playoffs
  • 2016 Finished 5^th in CCCAA State Championships
• 2002-06 – Magnolia High School (Varsity Boys & Girls)
• 1999–2002-Club Beach VBC 

PLAYING EXPERIENCE

Long Beach Wilson High School

• Multi-sport sport athlete, participating in soccer & volleyball; two-time all-CIF selection in volleyball; Moore League MVP-volleyball.

Arkansas State University

• Starter as a freshman, Division 1 scholarship
• Sun Belt Conference Champions & NCAA Tournament

On a personal note:
Coach Esko had the pleasure of coaching against her father (Larry Chowen-LB State Men's Volleyball '71-72) for 14 seasons while he was the Head Coach at Chaffey College.  Coach Chowen retired in 2016.   Teddi still actively participates in volleyball, playing in indoor leagues, grass and beach tournaments and resides in Huntington Beach with her husband and two daughters.