Meet the Newcomers: Memphis Burnett
August 28, 2026 | Women's Volleyball
#81 Memphis Burnett
Year: Freshman
Height: 5-10
Position: Outside Hitter
Hometown: Ladera Ranch, Calif.
High School: Santa Margarita Catholic HS
Major: Psychology
Memphis Burnett is a local talent from Ladera Ranch. She led Santa Margarita Catholic High School to the 2025 CIF-Southern Section Division 2 title. Memphis was an All-CIF, All-Orange County, and All-Trinity League selection. She played club for TStreet in Irvine.
When and how did you get started playing volleyball?
I started playing volleyball when I was eight years old. My two brothers were playing basketball at the time, so I was always in the gym. One of their teammate's older sister introduced me to volleyball, then I walked into Tstreet (Volleyball Club) and never left.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
I played every single sport. I was really serious about soccer for a long time because my aunt plays, but once I started volleyball it just stuck.
Did you have a favorite athlete or anyone you looked up to growing up?
My dad. He played in the NFL, so growing up, he was always pushing me and my brothers to be the best. I would not be anywhere near the athlete or person I am today if it weren't for him.
Why UCI?
It's so close to home. Family is the most important thing to me, and it was really important that my grandma, aunts, uncles, cousins, and everyone could come to my games. And obviously, the people here, you really can't beat it. The other schools I visited or talked to were great people as well, but when I came here, it just felt like home, and I was like wow, this is where I'm supposed to be.
What are you most looking forward to this season?
I think just proving a point of who we are as a team and showing the world how hard we are working, and how much team chemistry we have. I'm looking forward to showing how we are going to enhance the culture and keep building on what has already been started here.
What is your favorite thing about Irvine so far?
The food; all the food around here is really good. We're lucky at UTC because we have so many good spots, but I feel like everywhere we've gone in general has been so good. I don't think Irvine gets enough credit for how good the food is here.
Tell us a little about the meaning behind your name.
My great uncle on my dad's side was a blues musician in Memphis. His stage name was Howlin' Wolf, and my dad was named after him, Chester Burnett. My parents wanted to pay some respect to him and his legacy in Memphis, Tennessee, by incorporating that into my name somehow, and my mom was like, let's just name her Memphis.
Why did you choose number 81?
My oldest brother, Keyan, who plays football at UNLV, first started playing when I was just getting into volleyball. I wanted to be like him so badly and he was number 81 at the time, so I've stuck with 81 ever since. He's changed his number now, but it's just a reminder of my family and why I do what I do.
Year: Freshman
Height: 5-10
Position: Outside Hitter
Hometown: Ladera Ranch, Calif.
High School: Santa Margarita Catholic HS
Major: Psychology
Memphis Burnett is a local talent from Ladera Ranch. She led Santa Margarita Catholic High School to the 2025 CIF-Southern Section Division 2 title. Memphis was an All-CIF, All-Orange County, and All-Trinity League selection. She played club for TStreet in Irvine.
When and how did you get started playing volleyball?
I started playing volleyball when I was eight years old. My two brothers were playing basketball at the time, so I was always in the gym. One of their teammate's older sister introduced me to volleyball, then I walked into Tstreet (Volleyball Club) and never left.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
I played every single sport. I was really serious about soccer for a long time because my aunt plays, but once I started volleyball it just stuck.
Did you have a favorite athlete or anyone you looked up to growing up?
My dad. He played in the NFL, so growing up, he was always pushing me and my brothers to be the best. I would not be anywhere near the athlete or person I am today if it weren't for him.
Why UCI?
It's so close to home. Family is the most important thing to me, and it was really important that my grandma, aunts, uncles, cousins, and everyone could come to my games. And obviously, the people here, you really can't beat it. The other schools I visited or talked to were great people as well, but when I came here, it just felt like home, and I was like wow, this is where I'm supposed to be.
What are you most looking forward to this season?
I think just proving a point of who we are as a team and showing the world how hard we are working, and how much team chemistry we have. I'm looking forward to showing how we are going to enhance the culture and keep building on what has already been started here.
What is your favorite thing about Irvine so far?
The food; all the food around here is really good. We're lucky at UTC because we have so many good spots, but I feel like everywhere we've gone in general has been so good. I don't think Irvine gets enough credit for how good the food is here.
Tell us a little about the meaning behind your name.
My great uncle on my dad's side was a blues musician in Memphis. His stage name was Howlin' Wolf, and my dad was named after him, Chester Burnett. My parents wanted to pay some respect to him and his legacy in Memphis, Tennessee, by incorporating that into my name somehow, and my mom was like, let's just name her Memphis.
Why did you choose number 81?
My oldest brother, Keyan, who plays football at UNLV, first started playing when I was just getting into volleyball. I wanted to be like him so badly and he was number 81 at the time, so I've stuck with 81 ever since. He's changed his number now, but it's just a reminder of my family and why I do what I do.
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