Brooke Van Sickle Turns the Page: Embraces new beginning with Nxled 

For Brooke Van Sickle, the moment was equal parts gratitude and grief — a pause between what was lost and what now lies ahead.

The three-time PVL Most Valuable Player recently stood at that emotional crossroads as Petro Gazz, the team that introduced her to Philippine volleyball and helped define her rise in the league, officially stepped away from competition. The news marked the end of a chapter that brought titles, growth, and a sense of belonging for the Fil-Hawaiian star.

“It was very sad to hear the news, actually. Coming off a championship last conference to having a leave of absence, it was heartbreaking but understandable,” Van Sickle shared on Thursday.

Her journey in the Philippines began in 2024 with a leap of faith. Recruited by the Angels, Van Sickle arrived as a talented import — and quickly became much more. Her relentless two-way play, leadership, and competitive fire transformed her into one of the league’s defining figures, a fan favorite who helped power Petro Gazz to two championships in a short but unforgettable span.

Those memories made the goodbye heavier.

“Again, super grateful for the Petro Gazz family, the Villavicencios, for having me come to the Philippines. It was really a great two years with them, and obviously it’s sad to see the team leaving, but I’m still super excited for this next journey with Nxled,” said the 27-year-old.

The Angels’ decision to take a leave of absence sent shockwaves through the local volleyball community, especially given Petro Gazz’s status as the PVL’s second-winningest franchise since joining the league in 2018. Yet even amid uncertainty, Van Sickle’s focus never lingered on what ended — it shifted quickly to what could still be built.

That outlook made the transition to Nxled feel less like starting over and more like carrying something forward.

With much of Petro Gazz’s championship core moving alongside her — including MJ Phillips, Myla Pablo, Jules Tolentino, Ranya Musa, Jonah Sabete, Djanel Cheng, Bang Pineda, Nicole Tiamzon, Jellie Tempiatura, and AA Adolfo — continuity replaced disruption. The bond forged through wins and adversity remains intact, now redirected toward a new franchise and a new mission.

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ALL IN TO WIN

Reigning MVP Brooke Van Sickle says her goal is to win, highlighting Nxled’s mix of young and veteran players and sharing her excitement about building something special with familiar faces from Petro Gazz in the #PVL2026 All-Filipino Conference.#OSOnTheSpot pic.twitter.com/LVkrfayf2c

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) January 15, 2026

“Like, I am very stoked to be able to have all my former teammates coming along for the ride, too. So it’s just exciting. It’s new — new coach, new teammates, a lot of things. It’s, like, mentally stimulating in a sense. But I’m excited,” Van Sickle said.

She was also quick to address speculation surrounding the group’s move, emphasizing that the decision to join Nxled was made freely — a collective choice rooted in belief and shared ambition.

“We’re just really grateful that the core decided to stick together. And by no means were we forced,” she explained.

“I know there were a lot of allegations being said, but we kind of all, as players, like, have a common goal that we make sure that the core sticks together and, you know, continue to build something special, especially with the Nxled group.”

Now wearing green instead of red, Van Sickle finds renewed energy in a fresh environment — one highlighted by the presence of Italian head coach Ettore Guidetti. The chance to work under a globally experienced tactician has already raised the bar in training.

“So far, the practices have been super awesome. They’re very awesome. It’s just really awesome to be able to have an Italian coach, and he has so much experience from around the world. To be able to bring that to the gym is awesome,” she said.

“I feel like this is probably the most prepared I’m gonna be for a conference, personally, just because of the amount of touches and just, like, the quality of practice is really good. Especially, all the girls are absolutely pushing each other in the gym, so it’s really highly competitive.”

For Van Sickle, the jersey may have changed, but the standard has not. As she begins this new chapter with Nxled, she carries the same commitment that defined her time with Petro Gazz — leadership, effort, and an all-in approach to the game and the people around her.

“At the end of the day, no matter what jersey or color, I’m still gonna give it my hundred percent, no matter what, and still try to be a team leader and try to still make long-term connections and friendships,” she said.

“So I’m just excited for these next couple of years.”

What ended in heartbreak now opens into possibility — and for Brooke Van Sickle, that balance of gratitude and hunger may be exactly what fuels her next run.

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