Volleyball Announces Addition Of Three Midseason Transfers

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Carolina volleyball coach Mike Schall and his staff are excited to announce the addition of three midseason transfers, Alexis Engelbrecht, Peyman Yardimci and Chelsea Thorpe.

"We're thrilled to welcome Peyman, Chelsea and Alexis to Carolina," Schall said. "They collectively bring a wealth of experience, and we look forward to their individual contributions making a positive impact on our team. Each is a fantastic student with aspirations for athletic and academic success at the highest level."

Alexis Engelbrecht
Position: Middle Blocker
Height: 6' 2"
Hometown: Cary, N.C.
Previous School: Iowa State
Class: Graduate

Engelbrecht returns to her home state as a graduate transfer after spending the last four years at Iowa State. As a Cyclone, Engelbrecht played in 91 matches with 311 set appearances, tallying 429 career kills and 292 blocks, including 35 solo blocks.

As a senior in 2023, she started 14 matches, playing in 70 sets over 21 matches. She hit over .300 with at least 10 attempts in 10 matches, including a career-high .700 with seven kills vs. Oklahoma on Oct. 28. She ended her Iowa State career with a reception percentage of .981, the second-best in school history.

"We're excited for Alexis' homecoming. I was fortunate to coach Alexis as a 16-year-old at Triangle Volleyball Club. She went on to have a great four-year career at Iowa State and we we're thrilled to have her join us at Carolina for her fifth year. Alexis competes hard and is intentional about connecting with her teammates. Alexis adds a mature presence to the court and to our locker room that will have great impact on our current group." – head coach Mike Schall

Chelsea Thorpe
Position: Outside Hitter/Opposite
Height: 6' 3"
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Previous School: Ohio State

Thorpe arrives to Chapel Hill after a year of playing experience in the Big Ten last season at Ohio State. After redshirting her freshman season, Thorpe tallied 232 kills, 35 blocks and 55 digs as a redshirt freshman in 2023. She ranked second on the team in kills, averaging 2.25 kills per set on the season and 2.19 kills per set in conference play.

"Chelsea is a pin hitter who will train on both the right and left side," Schall said. "She is an outstanding attacker and blocker on both pins. She approaches the game with focus and enthusiasm and has a strong desire to develop her complete game. In our first week, we have already seen Chelsea's willingness to work and to learn and dive in to being a great teammate. We are grateful that she is now wearing Carolina blue." – head coach Mike Schall

Peyman Yardimci
Position: Opposite
Height: 6' 0"
Hometown: Istanbul, Turkey
Previous School: Miami

Yardimci joins the Tar Heels with three years of experience in the ACC. A transfer from Miami, she played in 81 matches and 258 sets with the Hurricanes, tallying 600 kills, 204 blocks, 54 aces and a career hitting percentage of .241.

In 2021, she was named to the All-ACC Freshman Team and ACC All-Academic Team. In 2023, she played in 22 matches, making nine starts. Yardimci tallied 110 kills, averaging 2.20 kills per set, with a 224 hitting percentage.

"We recruited Peyman out of high school. We know her well from our initial conversations but also from competing against her when she was at Miami," Schall said. "She knows the game well and has played at a high level of the sport for a long time. She is an efficient left-handed attacker and an all around excellent volleyball player with a high IQ and the ability to problem solve." – head coach Mike Schall

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