Lindsey Vander Weide is ready to run it back with Petro Gazz, eager to reunite with former Oregon teammate and reigning PVL MVP Brooke Van Sickle.
Vander Weide, who won Best Import and Finals MVP when the Angels claimed the 2022 Reinforced Conference crown, said she jumped at the chance to return when Petro Gazz came calling ahead of the import-laden tournament, which kicks off Tuesday at Ynares Center Montalban. ‘I kind of always wanted to come back right after I left, but I wasn’t sure if the cards were ever going to play out, and they contacted me this season. I’m in a part where I’m not playing right now, so I’m super excited to be back, and I knew I had to do it with Petro Gazz,’ said Vander Weide.
Vander Weide, who spent the past three years in Puerto Rico and in American pro leagues, is determined to bring back the Reinforced glory to Petro Gazz after a quarterfinal exit last year.
‘That’s the goal. That felt amazing to do last time. I’m really hoping we can do it again. Like you said, we still have a lot of firepower, plus Brooke, huge addition, so hopefully we can get that done,’ she said. The 27-year-old American outside spiker can’t wait to share the court with Van Sickle, whom she played with from 2016 to 2019 in the US NCAA Division 1.
‘We did a lot of big things in college. You guys know Brooke is a huge arm. I’m a big arm so I know that duo is going to be really good, just like it was back then. And like you said, a lot of my old teammates are here too, so that’s really exciting,’ said Vander Weide.
For Van Sickle, it’s a full-circle moment to once again play alongside Vander Weide, who first introduced her to the PVL.
‘It’s really just a full circle moment, having her here, having my parents here,’ said Van Sickle.