There was no such thing as team divide when Savi Davison of the PLDT High Speed Hitters first reached out to Brooke Van Sickle of the Petro Gazz Angels, when she came to play for the PVL in the Philippines.
Sliding into someone's DMs can be a good thing. Just ask Brooke Van Sickle of the Petro Gazz Angels.
The Fil-American outside hitter was just dipping her toes in her first conference in the Premier Volleyball League, when Fil-Canadian spiker Savannah Davison of the PLDT High Speed Hitters sent her a direct message.
"I was kinda nervous, sliding into someone's DMs," Davison admitted while laughing in the March 5 episode of Pilipinas Live's Starting Lineup.
It was Davison's second conference in the PVL, but she had an easier time adjusting since she had her boyfriend with her. But she was concerned with Van Sickle.
"I just wanted to make sure that, friend to friend..." Davison trailed off. "I was really nervous. What if she doesn't reply? What if she thinks I'm weird? You never know."
It turns out, Brooke was actually thinking of doing the same thing.
"I also was like, 'Should I DM her?' I'm the newbie. What if she's like, 'No, you're Petro Gazz.' Instagram stalker! Should I do it or no?" Van Sickle shared in the same interview, laughing. "I just appreciate her reaching out to me."
They kinda ended up going on a date of sorts, along with Davison's boyfriend, and her cousin.
"I'm glad we did connect and ended up going for dinner," Savi shared. "We're just trying to figure our Filipino words out. Glad we have somebody to do it with."
It turned out they had plenty in common.
"We had so much to talk about, noticed how small the world is," Davison said.
Apparently, they did play against each other in the US NCAA. Davison was then playing for the New Mexico State Athletics, while Van Sickle had suited up for the University of Oregon State Athletics.
It was very much a small world for Brooke, since it was fellow Hawaiian--and F2 Logistics Cargo Mover--Kalei Mau who first spoke to Van Sickle about playing in the Philippines.
Cignal HD Spikers import Tai Bierria and Petro Gazz reinforcement Lindsey Vander Weide paved the way for Van Sickle's path to the PVL.
[ALSO READ: PVL: How Kalei Mau, Lindsey Vander Weide led Brooke Van Sickle to Petro Gazz]
Their previous encounters made the Petro Gazz-PLDT matchup just a bit more interesting.
"I know she's the top scorer last conference, I knew she's gonna come out firing," Van Sickle said. "After we hung out, I was like, 'Just don't make eye contact.' I gotta be serious."
"I said the same thing!" Davison chimed.
It was especially poignant since Savi was also seeing former teammate Michelle Morente on the other side.
Petro Gazz got the edge in that match-up with a sweep of PLDT.
But at least Savi and Brooke get to laugh about it and hang out afterwards.