Once rivals on the NCAA hardwood, Brooke Van Sickle and Gia Day now find themselves united by a common goal—raising the Petro Gazz Angels’ banner in the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League.
What was once a competitive clash between the University of Hawai‘i and Baylor University has transformed into a powerful partnership. Now wearing the same colors, Van Sickle and Day have set their sights on international glory, hoping to steer the reigning Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference champions through a challenging continental campaign.
“It’s definitely a full-circle moment,” said Van Sickle, the PVL All-Filipino Conference MVP. “Volleyball is such a small world. I've known Gia for a long time, so it was really cool to reconnect and finally play on the same team.”
Their connection goes way back to their club volleyball days in the United States. Though they attended different universities and took different career paths overseas, fate found a way to align their stars in the Philippines.
“Back in our senior year, we both got invited to this fun all-star type of event where players from across the country came together,” Van Sickle recalled. “That’s when we really bonded. Since then, I’ve always hoped we’d play together again.”
And now, nearly a decade later, the 27-year-old Fil-Hawaiian spiker’s wish has come true. With Day finally donning the Angels jersey, the two former foes now fight side by side.
“I’ve been hoping and praying she’d join us,” Van Sickle shared. “It’s amazing how everything just fell into place.”
For Day, who brings with her a wealth of experience from playing stints in France, Puerto Rico, Italy, Indonesia, and most recently South Korea with Daejeon CheongKwanJang Red Sparks, this new chapter with Petro Gazz also marks a reunion of her own—with MJ Phillips, another former Red Spark and current Angels standout.
But while the camaraderie and chemistry were promising off the court, their AVC campaign didn’t exactly begin with a fairytale opener.
The Angels suffered a tough four-set defeat in their tournament debut, falling to Taiwan’s Kaohsiung Taipower, 15-25, 16-25, 25-19, 20-25, on Monday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
“It just felt like we weren’t having fun out there,” Van Sickle admitted, her tone both honest and introspective. “That’s what makes us love this sport—we enjoy it. And I think that kind of slipped away during the match.”
Despite the loss, the veteran outside hitter gave credit where it was due, praising the discipline and consistency of Taipower.
“I’m not discrediting them at all. They were great,” she said. “They really know how to push you physically and mentally. They stay in rhythm, they’re super disciplined, and that’s something we need to learn from.”
Still, not all was lost. The Angels found a spark in the third set, breaking free from their funk and clawing back into the contest, showcasing grit and resilience that hinted at what could still be a promising run ahead.
“Even if we lost, there were moments where we started trending upward,” Van Sickle reflected. “That’s something we can build on.”
As Petro Gazz prepares to face Hong Kong’s Hip Hing in their next assignment, Van Sickle emphasized the importance of regrouping—not just tactically, but emotionally.
“From here on, we need more discipline and to raise our energy,” she said. “This is the AVC Champions League—every team here is a champion in their own right. We have to accept that challenge, stick together, and bounce back stronger.”
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