From staying up until 3:00 AM to watch Brooke play on TV to standing on the sidelines as her coach on the Premier Volleyball League’s biggest stage, Gary Van Sickle’s decision to join Petro Gazz has proven to be more than worth it.
It was a special night for the Van Sickle family. Gary and Brooke — together with Lisa — all shared the spotlight as the Angels defeated ZUS Coffee in four sets, 21-25, 28-26, 25-23, 25-20, to clinch the title in their first campaign together in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference on Sunday.
“We’re always watching her on TV, we’re always watching Petro Gazz play all the games. Sometimes we’re still up at two, three in the morning watching [her],” said Gary.
For Gary, the moment carried a wave of nostalgia. Someone showed him an old photo of Brooke when she was around 16 — taken after they won a tournament championship together — a reminder of how long their shared journey has been.
Standing once again as champions, this time on the PVL stage, it became a full-circle moment he knew he would never forget.
“Somebody on their phone showed me a picture of, I think she was maybe 16? We won like a championship in a tournament, and it was like a then and now. So it’s kinda like that. How many years have that been? 10? 12 years ago, maybe. It’s just yeah… fun being here,” recalled the Van Sickle patriarch.
(C) PVL Images
For Brooke, the victory was equally meaningful.
She expressed her gratitude for being able to share this milestone with her parents and thanked the Petro Gazz management for allowing their family to experience this together — not just as supporters in the stands, but as members of the team.
“It’s just awesome. Yeah, my parents haven’t coached me [in a while], the last time they did was what? 10 years ago, almost? So it’s just awesome to have them here,” said the newly crowned three-time league MVP.
After years of playing far from home and enduring the challenges of distance, Brooke said having her parents close — and actively involved in her volleyball journey again — made the championship even more special.
She noted that their presence added an irreplaceable layer of comfort and connection, turning the moment into something she would carry for life.
“I’m super grateful that the management had them come on board with Petro Gazz. And it’s just awesome to be able to have them here not only as my coaches, because I’m familiar with them, but also just to have family around ‘cause I don’t think a lot of people understand,” said Brooke.
“Being an athlete, especially being away from your parents and like your home is kinda hard if it get really tough at times definitely with the distance and I mean ultimately, my team’s my family. And without them like I’m just alone. So it’s just really awesome to have my parents here and be another additional support. I’m very grateful it all worked out.”
Looking back, Gary said all those late nights watching Brooke play built a deep connection with Petro Gazz long before he arrived. Accepting the job, he added, became one of the best decisions he made — one that led to a rare championship moment they now share as a family.
“But we felt, you know, a connection with this team. So coming here with the opportunity that we had, it was just… we didn’t hesitate and we took it. It worked out well, I think.”
