Brooke return makes Chameleons dangerous

Nxled’s mission to settle unfinished business gets a huge boost with the return of main hitter Brooke Van Sickle.

Although not yet in full health, the 2025 season Most Valuable Player will suit up for the Chameleons in the opening series of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Season 10 All-Filipino Conference after a long layoff due to a minor right shoulder injury.

“I definitely will be playing this conference, but I don’t know exactly what percentage,” the Filipino-American winger said.

The three-time conference MVP, however, is taking a cautious approach in the three-series AFC but still hopes to contribute as Nxled aims for a historic first-ever franchise title.

“It’s still unknown, still taking it day by day and trying to stay in the present and just staying grateful to be able to be where I’m at now through the recovery process,” she said.

Van Sickle missed the preseason PVL on Tour Showdown and sat out the season-opening Invitational Conference where the Chameleons achieved a breakthrough runner-up finish behind guest team Est Cola of Thailand.

Nxled will need Van Sickle’s firepower and leadership when it begins its campaign on Tuesday against dangerous PLDT at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Van Sickle last saw competitive action on 7 April in the Chameleons’ Season 9 AFC Play-in tournament exit — a straight-sets loss to Farm Fresh. She also participated in the All-Star Showcase in Candon, Ilocos Sur last May.

Being on the sidelines for months was a huge realization for Van Sickle.

“I mean it’s been bittersweet, I would say. I mean, nobody wants to be injured, but I definitely think that there was still, you know, positives to take from it,” she said.

“I learned a lot about, you know, my body and learned a lot about my mental state and everything. Unfortunately, even though I was missing games and practice because of injury and recovering, I was able to still grow in other ways,” added the two-time PVL champion.

“With that being said, like as a leader outside the court and able to watch my teammates and try to give in different ways was really like a growing opportunity for me. So yeah, it was bittersweet.”

Nxled finished fifth in last season’s AFC but after a breakthrough finals stint and the return of Van Sickle, sky’s the limit for the rising club.