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POPULAR guard Heather Oliver has re-signed with the Bendigo Spirit for a sixth season.
Oliver, considered by many league followers to be one of the toughest players in the WNBL, is coming off a pair of impressive season in which she averaged career highs in points (5.5), rebounds (3.7) and assists (1.1).
Second-year coach Simon Pritchard said he was keen to get Oliver, who was a member of the club's roster during its 2012-13 and 2013-14 championship years, re-signed as quickly as possible.
“We are building a really tough roster this year. All of the players who have signed are the sort of players who will dig deep and perform, no matter what,” Pritchard said.
“Heather did that on numerous occasions for us last year.
“She plays a lot taller than she is and she pulls rebounds down from nowhere.
"Her offence really improved last year and she is a real threat at both ends of the court.
Oliver joined the Spirt in 2010-11, after a stint in the US college system with the University of Southern California (USC).
The 28 year old, who is originally from Wangaratta, said she she was proud to be suiting up for her sixth season.
“I’m excited to be back playing for the Spirit this season; it’s also an honour to be part of the club for its 10th year in the league," Oliver said.
“Last season we were unbeatable at times and had a great record against teams above us.
"We just need to continue working hard and being more consistent. I have no doubt that with the group we’ve got, members and supporters will like what they see this season.”
Oliver is a former Australian under-21 representative.
A Spirit crowd favourite, Oliver has bypassed the winter SEABL competition the last two years, preferring to play netball with Bendigo league club Sandhurst.
She is the reigning Betty Thompson medallist as the A-grade competition's best and fairest. The Dragons remain undefeated after six rounds of the 2016 season.
Oliver joins 2015-16 season teammates Gabe Richards, Kelsey Griffin and Kerryn Harrington, import Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe and new recruit Nadeen Payne (South East Queensland) as players to have committed to the Spirit for next season.