LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Olivia Pifer has gone from filling in to full-time.

On Thursday, Bellarmine University women's basketball head coach Monique Reid announced that Pifer has earned a scholarship with the Knights after walking on to the team midseason in 2025-26.

"Olivia is truly the heart and soul of Bellarmine," Reid said. "She represents hard work, resilience and heart in everything she does. Fearless and inspiring, she means so much to all of us — and to me personally. I have so much love for her and her family, and I couldn't be more excited to have her back where she belongs. She earned her spot."  

Pifer was the first of five freshman walk-ons who joined Bellarmine in January after the Knights were decimated by injuries. The Louisville native was subsequently thrown into the proverbial fire. The Mercy Academy product logged 21 minutes in her collegiate debut on the road at perennial conference contender Central Arkansas. Overall, she appeared in 17 games with nine starts while averaging 28.1 minutes per contest, a figure that ranked fourth on the team among players who competed in at least 15 games.

Reid first notified Pifer's parents, Elizabeth and Tom, of her intention to offer their daughter a scholarship. They broke the news to her.

"I was just very humbly grateful," said Pifer, who in 2025-26 was a multi-sport athlete at Bellarmine after competing for the field hockey team in the fall. "It felt like such a blessing, and I was thankful that my hard work and commitment were recognized. I also felt really motivated to keep growing and continue giving everything I have to the program. It was such a special moment, and it meant so much to know that Coach Reid and the staff believed in me."

That faith in her was certainly warranted.

In addition to the abundance of intangibles mentioned by Reid, Pifer displayed a nose for the ball. Despite being only 5-foot-4, the guard averaged 4.1 rebounds per game, which ranked second on the team among players who appeared in at least half of the team's contests. She grabbed four boards or more in nine outings and also ranked fourth on the team in total steals with 16, including a pair of four-theft performances.

Pifer's purposeful passing and valuing of the ball also stood out. Although she resumed her basketball career midseason at the Division-I level, she committed a lone turnover over her first five games. Pifer went turnover-free in nearly half of her appearances (eight) while logging at least 18 minutes in every one of those outings.

"It was definitely an adjustment when I first joined the team, but I have an amazing support system of family, friends, teammates and coaches who have always believed in me. Their encouragement helped me gain confidence and start to believe in myself more," Pifer said. "As the season went on, I became more comfortable, but I still tried to approach every practice and game as an opportunity to learn, grow and earn trust. I think that mindset is what helped me feel like I belonged."

That mindset won't change, even though her status has.

"Going forward, I want to continue bringing a positive attitude, strong work ethic and selflessness to the team," Pifer said. "While my title has changed from 'walk-on' to 'scholarship player,' I believe my perspective will remain the same. I want to embrace my role, work hard, compete and do whatever the team needs to succeed. I am excited to keep growing and contributing in any way I can.

"I am once again extremely grateful for the opportunity and really looking forward to the upcoming season! I could not do it without the support of my family, friends, coaches, teammates and professors. Bellarmine has been such a special place for me, and I am excited for what is ahead!"

She then quoted a bible verse that has summed up her journey: 

"When the time is right, the Lord will make it happen." (Isaiah 60:22)

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