BROOKE Van Sickle has long proven she is the complete package in the PVL as an elite scorer, a dependable floor defender, and now one of only three players in league history to win three MVP awards just roughly two years into her career.
That all-around brilliance translated to two championships with Petro Gazz before the franchise took a leave of absence, and it’s the same versatility Nxled is banking on as it charts a new path forward.
Yet even with nearly every facet of her game polished, there's still one area in particular Van Sickle isn't too satisfied with just yet, given that it's a prerequisite to her new role as team captain.
READ: Nxled coach Guidetti no longer new to handling star-studded teams
The 26-year-old Fil-American winger admitted she has never really been a motivational type of teammate, often preferring to let her play speak for itself.
Now tasked with being the Chameleons’ emotional anchor, she’s learning how to be more vocal when the moment calls for it.
“I would always be vocal in terms of talking, but I wouldn't be cheering my teammates on usually. That’s something I'm still kind of working on,” Van Sickle told SPIN.ph.
“I do talk, but I'm trying to learn how to be a better motivator and a better, like, kind of not like a cheerleader, but be more motivating with energy. I'm trying to put that within my playing pool.”
Her first test as captain passed with flying colors, as Nxled survived a bruising five-set opener against Farm Fresh.
‘Age doesn’t matter’
Earlier in her career, from the United States to Cyprus, Van Sickle was often the one learning from older and more seasoned teammates.
Now with Nxled, she finds herself in a different dynamic, surrounded by a mix of veterans and rising young talent.
For Van Sickle, that blend has reinforced one core belief.
“At this level in PVL, I don't think really age matters. I think everyone should come in and, regardless of age, still be held the same standards and should expect the same results, same attitudes and everything,” she said.
“It does help that veteran players can teach the younger ones, but to me, it's just better if you have young players that act and are like really mature and really sound.
“I think at Nxled, we have a lot of young talent that also carries themselves very well, especially on the court, so I'm very happy to be surrounded by such mature players.”
As Nxled’s new era unfolds, Van Sickle’s evolution as a leader may prove just as valuable as the MVP-caliber performances she’s already known for.
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