ESPN Honolulu’s UH Rainbow Wahine volleyball play-by-play announcer, Tiff Wells, took some time to highlight each senior’s career at the University of Hawaii.
BROOKE VAN SICKLE
(5’9” Outside Hitter / Battle Ground, Wash. / University of Oregon)
The five-tool, lead by example type of player that has been the heart and soul of this 2021 Big West Championship squad.
There have been a total of 12 transfers in the history of this storied program and arguably the one that has made the most impact in her time as a Rainbow Wahine, Van Sickle has done it all in her final collegiate indoor season. Having spent the first three years at Oregon, Van Sickle transferred to Hawaii (along with former Duck and Rainbow Wahine players Jolie Rasmussen and Kyra Hanawahine) ahead of the 2019 season and has been in the starting lineup ever since. Moving from OH2 to OH1 here in 2021, Van Sickle’s has been the first focal point on each and every UH opponent’s scouting report. Coming into this week, Van Sickle ranks inside the BWC’s top 15 of five stat categories (1st in points per set, tied for first in service aces per set, 2nd in kills per set, 11th in digs per set and 14th in hitting percentage. A 2019 All-Big West Honorable Mention and NCAA Madison All-Regional Team selection, Van Sickle’s numbers and all-around game have her on a very short list of candidates for Big West Player of the Year
Van Sickle enters senior night with 549 kills (3.05 kills/set), 55 service aces, 500 digs (2.78/set) and 99 blocks.
SKYLER WILLIAMS
(6’1” Middle Blocker / Bellflower, Calif.)
The infectious personality. Always smiling. Always positive.
Like Janelle Gong, Williams came in recruited by the previous regime. She made an opening statement in her collegiate debut with 12 blocks against Marquette. One of the top hitters by percentage in the Big West Conference the past two seasons, Williams has also held it down as one of the key pieces of the Mānoa Roofing Company, as she’s been one of the top blockers as well. A vital piece in the starting rotation the past two seasons, Williams was an All-Big West First Team selection in 2019 and will see honors once again here in 2021. Williams is sixth in the Big West in hitting percentage (.337) and ninth in blocks per set (.98). A total of 453 kills and 254 blocks coming into her final home match wearing the green and white.
JANELLE GONG
(5’9” Defensive Specialist / Moraga, Calif.)
A head-down mentality to continue getting better one percent each and every day.
A walk-on that redshirted in 2017, Gong appeared in just 16 matches over the next two seasons. Maybe the hardest working Rainbow Wahine, Gong put countless hours in the gym and was rewarded for her efforts with a scholarship during the 2021 fall camp. Finding her role in this year’s rotation as the first player off the bench to serve and play defense, Gong has provided stability in the backrow, both in serve-receive and defense. Gong has 8 service aces and 126 digs entering tonight’s match.
