Brooke Van Sickle’s journey to Petro Gazz was shaped by faith, patience, and perfect timing, turning what seemed like a detour in Cyprus into the path that led her to the championship stage in the Philippines.
On January 20, 2024, the Petro Gazz Angels announced the signing of US NCAA star Brooke Van Sickle.
It was indeed a big move for the Angels, who had been hoping to find the missing piece for their PVL All-Filipino push.
And she had plenty to fight for, with her grandfather born in San Emilio, Ilocos Sur.
Fast forward to over a year, the two-time PVL MVP delivered them to the promised land, winning their first-ever All-Filipino title.
[ALSO READ: Brooke Van Sickle basks in breakthrough PVL All-Filipino title: ‘We’re all part of the puzzle’]
But the journey that brought her to Petro Gazz — and the Philippines — wasn’t as smooth as the highlight reels make it seem.
Before her PVL stint, the Hawaii-born outside hitter--who played college volleyball for the University of Oregon and later the University of Hawaii--signed her first pro contract with AEL Limassol in Cyprus.
It was a detour she never really planned for.
“The whole Cyprus thing was kind of an accident,” Van Sickle shared to One Sports. “It was just a lot of miscommunication because I only wanted to play here. It took like four months longer for me to get here, but I’m still really grateful I’m here now.”
Being away from her goal only strengthened her resolve. Each day in Cyprus, she held on to the hope that somehow, she'd find her way to the Philippines.
And through her faith, Van Sickle eventually got the call.
“I just kept manifesting, kept praying every single day. I’m like please, please, please. I didn’t even know how to get in contact with anyone. It just seemed so impossible,” she recalled.
“I'm just a volleyball player trying to get here. I had zero connections. I didn't know what to do, and to be able to have my prayers answered is really huge,” she added.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Brooke Van Sickle finds ‘peak life’ after first All-Filipino title with Petro Gazz]
Looking back, Van Sickle sees the delay not as a misstep, but as part of a bigger plan.
“God does wonderful things. Even though we didn’t win championships before, I think He puts things into your life when you’re ready for it. Not just because you want it so bad, but because the timing is finally right,” she said.
And the pieces did fall into place for Brooke.
She actually came across former F2 Logistics Cargo Movers import Kalei Mau a few years ago, as they both hail from the island of Oahu in Hawaii.
"She would always talk about the Philippines. That's how my dreams and aspirations to play here started, because of Kalei," Van Sickle shared to One Sports last year.
In Cyprus, the Fil-Hawaiian met Tai Bierria--the former Cignal HD Spikers import.
It was meeting Tai, along with other Philippine imports such as Alohi Robins-Hardy, who pushed Brooke forward.
It took Petro Gazz's former Best Import Lindsey Vander Weide, Van Sickle's senior at the University of Oregon, to finally provide BVS a path back to the Philippines.
[ALSO READ: PVL: How Kalei Mau, Lindsey Vander Weide led Brooke Van Sickle to Petro Gazz]
Now firmly part of Petro Gazz’s core, Van Sickle is living the moment she once prayed for. More than that, she’s helping shape the future of her team as they turn their attention to the next big challenge: the 2025 AVC Women's Champions League.
“I think everything is going well, and I continue to hope for happiness,” she added. “I hope everyone still loves the sport, and for entry-free for all teams. Just a great AVC, because it’s the next one.”
[ALSO READ: Brooke Van Sickle is living her 'dream' of playing in the Philippines | Off the Record]
Getting to the Philippines wasn’t easy for Brooke. But it’s clear, she ended up exactly where she was meant to be.