If the stars align, countless learning opportunities await Brooke Van Sickle with Alas Pilipinas.
Brooke Van Sickle’s eyes lit up when asked about the possibility of teaming up with Philippine volleyball’s finest aces in the Alas Pilipinas national team.
The Filipina-Hawaiian outside hitter is being eyed by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) for the national team pool, which would require a federation switch from USA Volleyball.
Should the process work out, the 26-year-old pointed out veterans Jia Morado-De Guzman and Dawn Macandili-Catindig as the players she’s most eager to team up with.
“Just to get to see everyone play and I think everyone’s so cool and nice…Oh my God, I’m kind of fangirling in a weird way that I want to be friends! But I would say player-wise, just seeing how Jia was this past summer, just being able to see the type of level that she plays at is really cool, and it’d be awesome to get to experience her one-on-one,” Van Sickle said following Petro Gazz’s sweep against Capital1 on Tuesday.
“And I would say also Dawn. Yeah, Dawn is a super libero, like she gets balls that are just insane! She’s like a superwoman diving for balls and stuff…And obviously any hitter, but I feel like setters and liberos don’t get as much recognition and love,” added Van Sickle, one of three Fil-foreigners reportedly being considered by the PNVF along with Angels teammate MJ Phillips and PLDT ace Savi Davison.
But Van Sickle is approaching this situation with cautious optimism, given the various considerations involved with her possible federation switch.
“It would be an amazing opportunity and such an honor to be able to represent the country. As for the process, it’s still going, and I’m not sure exactly how it’s gonna go, but I definitely am very open to playing. And if I get the chance, then I’ll give it my 100 percent,” said Van Sickle, who traces her Filipina roots to San Emilio, Ilocos Sur.
“But as of right now, I think it’s more than just what I want. It’s about how it’s gonna play out with the paperwork, and then also my team and all these factors play into it, but I’m definitely grateful for them [PNVF] to even mention this.”
It remains to be seen how Brooke Van Sickle’s federation switch will unfold, but her scoring prowess will be a valuable addition to a pool that already includes Angel Canino, Eya Laure, Jema Galanza and Sisi Rondina, Vanie Gandler, and Faith Nisperos at the wing spiker positions.
As a former beach volleyball player, Van Sickle is also open to representing the Philippines on the sand courts.
“It’s nothing against USA, they’re very good at volleyball [but] I’m willing to make the switch for sure. I think there’s a lot of opportunities here for me in terms of indoor and beach,” said Van Sickle, who played beach volleyball with the University of Hawaii.
“So if I don’t play indoor, if that doesn’t end up working out, then I still have aspirations to play beach volleyball. So hopefully in one of the sports, I can represent this country.”
Banner images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.