Brooke Van Sickle finds home in Ilocos as All-Star Weekend becomes personal 

For Brooke Van Sickle, the 2026 Volleyball All-Star Showcase isn’t just another event—it’s a reminder of how far she’s come, and how close she now feels to home.

Long before stepping onto the bright stage of the Premier Volleyball League, Van Sickle spent most of her life in the United States. But this week in Candon City, the journey feels full circle.

“Yeah, I’m really happy, you know, super grateful to be able to just go around Ilocos Sur a little bit more in the Candon area, just to be able to see the area more than when we would come with PVL for games,” said the Nxled star, who hails from nearby San Emilio.

This time, it wasn’t just about volleyball.

Instead of the usual in-and-out game schedule, Van Sickle and fellow All-Stars slowed things down—sharing a welcome dinner, exploring the city, and even planting trees at the local Ecopark. It’s a side of the sport she rarely gets to experience, but one that has quietly deepened her connection to the country.

“It’s a little hard to fit in extracurricular activities. So it’s been really exciting and really fun to be able to plant the trees, just see the Eco Park a lot. It’s really beautiful out here. So just all good experiences.”

While the setting feels familiar, the stage still brings something new.

Despite already being a three-time league MVP, Van Sickle is stepping into uncharted territory with her first-ever All-Star appearance—an experience she admits comes with a mix of excitement and nerves.

“Yeah, I’m just really excited. I mean, I’m a little nervous. I don’t know what to expect because I’ve never been a part of any All-Star event like this before,” said Van Sickle, who is part of Team Hustle as a reserve. “So I’m just really excited to be surrounded by such good athletes and just wonderful people.”

But beyond the competition, what stands out most is the shift in environment.

Rivalries are set aside, replaced by shared moments and new connections. For Van Sickle, it’s a rare chance to see fellow players beyond the intensity of matches—to understand them not just as opponents, but as peers.

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Nxled Chameleons’ Brooke Van Sickle looks ahead to her first-ever Volleyball All-Star Showcase experience with Team Hustle, while also sharing how special it is to be back in her home province Candon and spend quality time with athletes and family. | via Kiko Demigillo/One Sports pic.twitter.com/wctr0nDdkF

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) April 30, 2026

“It’s cool to get to know everybody slowly and everything. So yeah, I’m really excited just for good volleyball and I hope the fans enjoy it too and this is a good experience for everybody,” she added.

Her return to Ilocos Sur also carries a quieter, more personal meaning.

“It still feels awesome. Like, I know the first time I was here, it was just trying to grasp like, oh, I’m finally here,” she said, recalling her previous visit during the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference.

“It feels right. It’s really good to be out of the city. I’m not really a city girl. I’m more like a province, nature girl.”

This time, the experience becomes even more special with family set to watch her play—adding another layer to a week already filled with meaning.

“They’re going to come to the game tomorrow. So I’m really excited to spend time with them and just get to know Candon a little bit more.”

Now in her second year in the Philippines, Van Sickle’s journey has evolved from adjustment to belonging.

What started as an opportunity has turned into something more permanent, something personal.

“Yeah, I mean, obviously, coming to events like this is very helpful in my personal growth and everything and just, like, eye-opening for me. And obviously, anything I go to is always a wonderful experience and I’m really grateful to be here. And yeah, it’s slowly, it’s been a really great experience these past two years,” said Van Sickle.

“And I’m finally, like, coming to a place where I’m, like, this is home for me. Like, it’s, like, I get it, like, okay, I’m from Hawaii and everything, but I see this as home. Like, okay, like, that’s, like, vacation for me now is going to Hawaii. So, like, it’s really great to be here and just, you know, I’m loving life and just super grateful for everything and just, yeah, I’m just super happy all the time. Yeah.”

In a weekend built around stars, stats, and spectacle, Van Sickle’s story stands out for a different reason.

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