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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Volleyball devider Heaven-sent Angel Brooke Van Sickle fulfilling volleyball dream with Petro Gazz

Heaven-sent Angel Brooke Van Sickle fulfilling volleyball dream with Petro Gazz

Published Feb 11, 2024 03:19 pm

At A Glance

  • Crossing paths for the very first time since she got all the attention after showing her prowess at the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League, Brooke Van Sickle was a mystery at first when this writer visited the Petro Gazz Angels at their team practice.

Beyond the Game 

Heaven-sent Angel Brooke Van Sickle fulfilling volleyball dream with Petro Gazz
By Brian Yalung

 

Crossing paths for the very first time since she got all the attention after showing her prowess at the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League, Brooke Van Sickle was a mystery at first when this writer visited the Petro Gazz Angels at their team practice.

BROOKE_VAN_SICKLE.jpeg
Brooke van Sickle (Petro Gazz Angels Facebook)

It was initially meant to check out the new faces on the team, particularly Japanese coach Koji Tsuzurabara. Sitting back and waiting for practice to wrap up, I couldn’t help but notice this well-built volleybelle who was among the players undergoing drills and training.

When practice was over and wanting to know more about this Filipino-American player, Van Sickle loosened up a bit and accommodated all questions thrown at her. But from all that, it was the 24-year-old admitting that playing in the Premiere Volleyball League was a dream fulfilled for her.

“It was actually my dream to play here. My family, being from here, it was my dream to one day to play in the PVL,” Van Sickle said.

And while it is her first time to play in the Philippines, Van Sickle added that she had already learned much about the league from other players who have already played in the PVL. One of them is Kalei Mau.

“I had multiple friends play here in the past. Like Kalei Mau three years ago. She just talked positive things about it and with how her experience was here in the Philippines, I want to experience that myself. So just grateful to be here,” she added.

 

 

Just got lucky

 

Being the new face in the mix, the Hawaii University standout admits that she is grateful and blessed to have been signed by the Angels.

“I got lucky. The Petro Gazz girls, super lucky, easy to talk to. They are just a great group of girls. I couldn’t ask for better teammates,” Van Sickle quipped. “When I’m on the court, it’s just communication. We’re definitely working on that and it’s going very well,” she added.

 

 

Van Sickle learning new tricks from coach Koji

 

Aside from bonding with her teammates, Van Sickle admits that she is pretty much excited to learn from Tsuzurabara, adding that it was her first time to play under a Japanese coach.

“It’s super fun because it’s like my first time having a Japanese coach. It’s really interesting. Just like seeing the south play and how he thinks and his minds works,” the Angels outside hitter stated.

Further, Van Sickle shared what the close friend of Petro Gazz Head of Volleyball Operations Oliver Almadro was trying to make them do in preparation for the upcoming PVL season.

“He is pushing us to play fast but also to think faster. He was us to use our brains and make sure we are using our brains volleyball IQ and just to develop and use the situations that comes with the game and be able to assess and to take the best strategy moving forward,” the Champions League Most Valuable Player shared.

Van Sickle and the Angels are off to a good start after winning the PNVF Champions League title at the expense of the Cignal HD Spikers, 25-19, 27-25, 25-22, on Saturday, February 10.

However, a new battle looms for her and the Angels when the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference on February 20.

Related Tags

Petro Gazz Angels pnvf champions league
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