US college star ‘perfect fit’ for Spirit

BENDIGO Spirit has secured an exciting piece of its roster for its WNBL championship defence, signing Australian-born US college standout Olivia Pollerd for the 2025-26 season.

Pollerd returns to home soil after a stellar college career with Santa Clara Broncos in the NCAA Women’s Division I.

She finished ranked in the top 10 all-time at Santa Clara for points, blocks, field goals, and three-pointers made, and was honoured as the university’s female athlete of the year for 2025.

Pollerd, who played her freshman season at the University of Washington before transferring to Santa Clara, came into her own in her senior year, being named in the First Team All-West Coast Conference (WCC), earning WCC player of the week honours twice, and leading her team with an impressive 16 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

Her senior year performance capped off an impressive three-year stint at Santa Clara, where she averaged 13.8 points per game.

The 192cm forward, who hails from the Mornington Peninsula, represented Australia with distinction at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 Women’s World Cup, where the team secured a silver medal.

She also contributed to Australia’s gold medal win at the 2019 FIBA Under-17 Oceania Championship.

Previously signed as a development player at just 15 years of age by the now-defunct Melbourne Boomers, Pollerd is poised to make her official debut with the WNBL’s reigning champions.

“I’m really excited to join the Spirit,” Pollerd said.

“I really enjoyed my time and the experiences I had in the US, but now I’m excited to return to my home state and apply everything I learnt there on the court in Australia’s top-tier competition.

“Being the reigning champs, Bendigo are obviously an amazing team, so I’m excited to hit the ground running and learn as much as I can.”

Spirit general manager Dan Jackson views Pollerd and the Spirit as a perfect fit for each other.

“Our head coach Kennedy Kereama has been following Liv’s career closely whilst she’s been at college, so we are absolutely thrilled she has chosen to join the Spirit,” he said.

“Her shooting and versatility will be a huge asset for the club, and she will fit in seamlessly to our group with her work ethic and personality.”

Pollerd joins gun recruit Isobel Borlase and 2024-25 championship team member Casey Samuels as players announced so far on the Spirit’s 2025-26 roster.