OKLAHOMA CITY (Aug. 20, 2020) – Vinicius Alves, who spent the last three years on Oklahoma Christian's men's soccer team, will serve as the graduate assistant coach for OC's revived volleyball program in 2020-21, OC volleyball coach Barry Wheeler said Thursday.

Alves, from San Benedito, Brazil, played forward for OC soccer during the 2017, 2018 and 2019 seasons, appearing in 37 games with 12 starts, scoring two goals and adding an assist. He's a three-time recipient of the Division II Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Award.

But before he played collegiate soccer, Alves competed in club volleyball in his native country and developed a deep knowledge of that sport, Wheeler said. Alves explored playing college volleyball in the U.S. before opting to instead play soccer.

"Vinnie played in one of the top volleyball clubs in Brazil," Wheeler said. "He comes in with a wealth of experience and knowledge that will be a tremendous asset to the program. He brings some great international ideas and strategies. Vinnie will be coaching our passers and setting up our defense and serve receive patterns."

OC announced in July 2018 it would again compete in volleyball after originally fielding a varsity program from 1976 to 1983. The Eagles will compete in NCAA Division II and the Lone Star Conference.