Petro Gazz’s new recruit Brooke Van Sickle.–Photo from Petro Gazz Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — Petro Gazz adds more firepower to its roster after landing Filipino-American spiker Brooke Van Sickle ahead of the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season.
The Angels on Saturday announced that the former US NCAA player will reinforce their team, which missed the semifinals in the second All-Filipino Conference.
“An Angel sent from heaven has arrived to refuel our journey! We’re thrilled to have you here, Brooke Van Sickle!” the team wrote.
Van Sickle played for Oregon University and Hawaii University in the NCAA. She emerged as the Most Valuable Player, Best Outside Hitter, and Best Scorer for Hawaii University in the 2021-22 NCAA Big West Conference.
The 24-year-old outside spiker, who was a nominee for the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year, played professional volleyball for AEL Limassol in Cyprus.
The 5-foot-9 Van Sickle is also a decorated beach volleyball player in the United States, winning the 2022 AVCA Beach Volleyball Best Attacker.
Van Sickle will be teaming up with the returning Myla Pablo, fellow new recruit Mich Morente, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Jonah Sabete, Remy Palma, and setter Djanel Cheng as Petro Gazz seeks to reclaim the PVL crown since it last emerged as champion in the 2022 Reinforced Conference.
Van Sickle’s arrival was timely for the Angels after losing Grethcel Soltones, who transferred to the Akari Chargers.
Petro Gazz started 4-0 in the second All-Filipino but lost five of its last seven games, crashing out of the semis race and finishing sixth with a 6-5 record.