Amid defending champs’ struggle, Van Sickle looks at the positive
In her second PVL tournament, 2024 All-Filipino Conference Most Valuable Player Brooke Van Sickle marveled at the rising level of competitiveness in the Reinforced Conference.
“It’s a very powerful conference, for sure, we have a lot of girls going out [with] high percentages and high points,” the Petro Gazz player said after succumbing to Cignal HD Spikers in straight sets on Thursday, 25-19, 25-19, 25-22. “It sucks to be on the other end of it but it’s cool to be able to play against these kinds of players at this caliber.”
The defending Reinforced Conference champions have been struggling in the early rounds of this season’s tournament. The Angels have lost three straight matches against the Capital1 Solar Spikers, Akari Chargers and the HD Spikers.
Returning importDespite her team’s slump, Van Sickle said she relishes the opportunity of playing against world-class players.
“Being able to learn from these players is cool, but just in general, it’s stepping up the intensity on the court and the matches. PVL’s just getting better as conferences go on,” the Filipino-American volleyball player said.
Van Sickle also commended the performance of the local players and how they gel with their imports.
“Everyone’s getting better, improving, and stepping up,” she said.
Talking about her chemistry with Petro Gazz import Wilma Salas, Van Sickle had nothing but praises for the team’s reinforcement.
“She definitely knows what it takes to be a champion, so it’s just cool to be able to learn from her,” Van Sickle said. “She’s been all around the world, playing at such high levels and everything. It’s awesome to be able to even just play next to [that kind of a] player.”
Salas is a returning import for Petro Gazz who helped them win the Reinforced Championship title back in 2019.
Van Sickle, Salas and the rest of the Angels will try to get another win before the first round ends as they battle Choco Mucho on Aug. 6 at PhilSports Arena. INQ
