Another MVP campaign could be in the cards once more for Brooke Van Sickle, but she's prioritizing the Petro Gazz Angels' success in the upcoming 2024-2025 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
With a new PVL season set to kick off, the Petro Gazz Angels, led by former MVP Brooke Van Sickle, are raring to bounce back following their subpar campaign in the Reinforced Conference.
Van Sickle was the first to admit of her disappointment in the Angels’ performance, which saw them relinquish their Reinforced Conference title and make a quick exit in the quarterfinals last time out.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Remy Palma gives honest assessment of Petro Gazz’s Reinforced Conference campaign after early quarterfinal exit]
Despite this, the 26-year-old outside hitter is looking at things positively as Petro Gazz looks to get back on track in the 2024-2024 All-Filipino Conference.
“Last conference wasn’t our best performance but things happen. Life can be ups and downs all the time and same with sports. That’s what needed to happen for us to maybe we’re supposed to look internally and learn lessons—and we did,” Van Sickle told One Sports.
“All we can do is stay optimistic, bounce back, and just continue to work hard every day,” she added.
Last season, Van Sickle proved that she is indeed a force to watch out for in the league, winning the MVP award in her first conference with Petro Gazz.
But heading into Year 2, the Fil-Am spiker is more focused on the Angels’ team success rather than adding another personal accolade to her belt.
“I would rather win as a team than be acknowledged as an individual because I mean it’s cool to be recognized but at the end of day, you can’t get those awards without your team,” Van Sickle explained. “It just doesn’t sit right getting awards, but then like as a team, we’re not collectively getting something.”
“My goal for the team is to be able to have obviously first place is always the dream. If that’s not achievable, then still high standards of I want a podium,” she added.
[ALSO READ: Bound by love and volleyball: Brooke Van Sickle draws strength, inspiration from ever-supportive parents]
Undoubtedly, there will be pressure to perform at her best and Van Sickle is embracing the challenge, ramping up her conditioning for what will be a long All-Filipino Conference.
“As an athlete, those are the situations you want to be in and how they always say, ‘Diamonds are made under pressure.’ So you have to see as not to be scared of it but as an opportunity to be able to grow as a player and just to like build your mentality and get better every single day,” Van Sickle emphasized.
“Physically, as an athlete, I feel like I’ve been going in the right direction with that and just like keeping my body healthy and limiting the injuries and everything,” she added.
Expect a refreshed and hungry Van Sickle ready to compete once more for Petro Gazz in the new PVL season.