Brooke Van Sickle beams with confidence as parents join Petro Gazz coaching staff

Brooke Van Sickle’s career in the Premier Volleyball League has already been filled with milestones, but this season marks one that feels both personal and professional—a reunion with the people who first taught her the game.

The reigning back-to-back All-Filipino Conference MVP will now play under her parents, Gary and Lisa Van Sickle, after Petro Gazz tapped them to take over the team’s leadership. Gary has been appointed head coach, while Lisa joins as assistant.

For Brooke, the arrangement is not just a family reunion, but a source of confidence as she continues to lead the Angels. “Yeah, it’s amazing to be able to have them here, be able to be close to family. It’s really hard to be overseas and making sacrifices and being away from them. So I’m just really happy and grateful that they’re able to be here and be able to watch me grow as a human and as a player,” she said.

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The 27-year-old outside hitter added that their dynamic has always been grounded in professionalism despite being family. “Well, that’s the nice thing about, like, growing up and having them as my coaches, right? Is that we already have, like, an understanding and a common ground where it’s like once we step in the gym, like, they’re not my parents. So they’re very educated with volleyball. Their IQ is really great. And so they are able to make that adjustment, that separation. So outside of volleyball, loving family, everything, but when we step on the court, it’s all business and we want to win.”

That trust gives Brooke confidence not just in herself, but in what the Angels can achieve under her parents’ system. “I’m really excited to see where Petro takes a step forward because my coaches prior to me going to college, they were my coaches my entire life. So I did learn everything from them. So I’m really excited to be able to implement that nurturing care into our team. So I’m ecstatic,” she shared.

Gary and Lisa admitted the decision to join was made easier by their desire to support Brooke while also helping Petro Gazz move forward after a coaching change. “So after that was kind of settled, then yes, it was an easy decision to be with Brooke, to be able to coach her again,” Lisa said.

“We’ve been watching the team for a long time, honestly, ever since she’s been here. So we’re very familiar with the style of play… we’re excited,” she added.

For Brooke, the presence of her first coaches at this stage of her career is both grounding and empowering—a reminder of where she came from and a boost for the challenges ahead.

“I’ve known for like a little bit now, but I’m really happy it finally played out and now they’re here,” she said with a smile.

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