College star Olivia Pollerd signs with Bendigo Spirit

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Victorian Olivia Pollerd has celebrated her Santa Clara Broncos graduation by signing her first professional contract with the defending WNBL champion Bendigo Spirit.

The Spirit and head coach Kennedy Kereama announced they had secured the Mornington Peninsula 22-year-old forward on Thursday, June 19, 2025 for WNBL26.

"I’ve always had a good relationship with Kennedy," Pollerd told basketball.com.au.

"I’ve done a lot of stuff with him prior to signing. And as a country kid, I think it’s really cool to go back to a country club.

"Growing up, Bendigo was a WNBL team I watched a lot, and I did a lot of camps there.

"But really, they’re a championship team with great leadership, talented players, and coaches.

"It’s an exciting opportunity to learn from such a strong squad in my first year in the WNBL."

Pollerd is a four-year US college graduate in Child Studies. She arrived back in Australia on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 after her graduation ceremony.

She played 36 minutes per game and averaged 16 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and nearly 2 blocks as a Senior, starting all 30 games of the Broncos 2025-26 season. She played three seasons at Santa Clara after transferring from Washington at the end of her Freshman year.

Pollerd said Australia was always her first option once her NCAAW basketball career was over.

"I’ve always wanted to come back," she revealed.

"Australia is such a great country for basketball. The WNBL is a strong league with great players and coaches — so it was definitely the best move straight out of college.

"I do hope to go to Europe or even back to the U.S. eventually, but for now, this is the right step.

She said the WNBL was now recognised as a legitimate pathway to the WNBA.

"That conversation is definitely growing," she said.

"The WNBL is getting more attention, and more players are being picked up by WNBA scouts. It’s very exciting.

"I want to do the best I can. I’ve always wanted to go as far as I can in basketball.

"If I put in the work, I think I’m in a great environment to have a strong season and be pushed to grow.

"If I perform well and get noticed, that’s the ideal outcome."

Pollerd said the decision to leave Washington for the Santa Clara Broncos in sunnier California helped transform her game.

"Washington wasn’t the best fit for me basketball-wise," she admitted.

"The coaches who recruited me were let go right before I arrived. Their system didn’t suit my game, but I learned a lot.

"Santa Clara, on the other hand, felt right from the beginning. The coaches understood my style, and having other Australians on the team was a bonus.

"I absolutely loved it — both the basketball and the school environment.

"I’ve grown so much. Early on, I relied heavily on the three-point line — it was my safe space.

"But I worked hard to become more of an inside-outside player (at Santa Clara).

"I love posting up, driving, and I now have a mid-range game. That development has made me more confident heading into pro life."

The growth Pollerd describes is reflected in her career box scores at Santa Clara. She averaged 5.5 threes in her Sophomore year, 6.5 as a Junior, and 5.7 as a senior but her overall shot attempts went up from 9.1 as as a Sophomore to 15.3 as Senior.

That physicality and ability to guard multiple positions will be welcomed by Kennedy and a challenge for her rivals.

"I spoke with Kennedy about finding my fit within the system," she revealed.

"I’m quite versatile — I can play as a wing or a forward, and I’m keen to keep shooting the ball and contribute wherever they need me."

Although Pollerd is ready for the next step in her career she was reflective about playing basketball for Santa Clara.

"I loved the road trips — dinners with the team, good conversations, bonding," she said.

"Also, the relationships I built at Santa Clara — with teammates, classmates, staff, and professors.

"One of my favourite games was last year at Oregon. We executed the scout perfectly — ball movement, defense, everything. We won by 40 points on their home court.

"That was such a fun game — everyone contributed, and the vibe was just great.

"It’s a small school, and everyone’s in your corner. That’s what made it special."

2024-25 Senior Season

Pollerd's senior season showcased her full development as a player, as she put together her most complete campaign:

• Scoring: 16.0 points per game
• Rebounding: 6.5 rebounds per game (1.1 offensive, 5.4 defensive)
• Assists: 2.3 assists per game
• Blocks: 1.8 blocks per game
• Field Goal Percentage: 41.3% (6.3-15.3 FG)
• Three-Point Shooting: 31.6% (1.8-5.7 3PT)
• Free Throw Percentage: 77.0% (1.6-2.0 FT)

Her senior campaign included multiple standout performances, most notably a 33-point outburst against Fresno State where she shot an outstanding 13-of-21 from the field, including 6-of-9 from three-point range. Pollerd also demonstrated her all-around game with four double-doubles during the season, including a 23-point, 12-rebound performance against Loyola Marymount.

Career Development

Pollerd's progression from her freshman to senior seasons demonstrates remarkable growth:

1. Freshman (Washington): 0.7 points, 0.3 rebounds in 3.7 minutes per game
2. Sophomore (Santa Clara): 10.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 blocks in 25.8 minutes
3. Junior (Santa Clara): 14.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 blocks in 29.9 minutes
4. Senior (Santa Clara): 16.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.8 blocks in 36.2 minutes

Achievements

Pollerd's collegiate career features several outstanding achievements that showcase her ability to play at the next level:

• Scored in double figures in 72 games during her career
• Recorded five career double-doubles, four coming in her senior season
• Tallied 135 career blocks, showcasing her defensive impact
• Scored 20+ points in 11 games during her senior season
• Posted a career scoring average of 12.5 points per game
• Reached the 1,000-point milestone despite limited playing time in her freshman season