NEWCASTLE, Okla. (March 21, 2019) – Hannah Rouse, an All-State outside hitter for Newcastle High School, has signed to play for Oklahoma Christian's revived women's volleyball program, OC coach Barry Wheeler said Thursday.

The 5-foot-8 Rouse led Newcastle to a 15-17 mark and a spot in the Class 4A regional playoffs last fall, serving as a team captain. She made the Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State list and received honorable mention on The Oklahoman's All-City list.

Rouse, who plays club volleyball for Oklahoma Charge, also competes in soccer and track and field at Newcastle.

"Hannah is an extremely athletic hitter who can play defense," Wheeler said. "She jumps very well and moves quick on the floor. She can be a force anywhere along the net. She also has proven to be a positive team leader. I'm so pleased that she chose OC as the place to be among the many offers she had. God continues to bless OC with great young ladies, of which Hannah is one."

She is the third player to sign with OC's revived program, joining Cloie Mitchell of Oklahoma City and Jada Close of Copperas Cove, Texas. More signings are expected to be announced in the coming days and weeks.

OC announced in July 2018 it would revive its volleyball program, after originally fielding a varsity program from 1976 to 1983. The university hired Wheeler in January, with plans for him to begin recruiting players to begin participating in the program this fall, practicing and preparing for competition in 2020.