For Gia Day, volleyball once held an undeniable magic—an exhilarating thrill that coursed through her veins every time she stepped on the court.
But over the past five years, that magic began to fade, replaced by the monotony of constant travel and the grind of professional sports. What was once a passion slowly morphed into a routine, each game and practice feeling more like a duty than a joy.
The journey began with high hopes. Day's professional career took her across the globe, from Puerto Rico to Italy, South Korea, Indonesia, and finally back to the United States.
With each new country came new challenges and new experiences, but also the weight of living out of a suitcase, constantly adjusting to new teams, new cultures, and new playing styles. At 26, the wear and tear of endless travel was starting to take its toll.
Then came a call from Petro Gazz.
It was just another team in another country, or so Day thought. The Angels, fresh off their historic 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference championship, needed a reinforcement for their campaign in the AVC Women’s Champions Cup. At first, it seemed like another chapter in her exhausting journey. But as Day stepped onto the court in the Philippines, something unexpected began to unfold.
Petro Gazz wasn’t just another stop; it was a chance to reconnect with the game in a way she hadn’t for years. Two familiar faces awaited her: Brooke Van Sickle, a former NCAA rival from Day's Baylor days, and MJ Phillips, a friend she had made while playing for the Daejeon CheongKwanJang Red Sparks in South Korea. The sight of them was a reminder that, despite the distance, volleyball could still feel like home.
The campaign began with high hopes, but things didn’t go as smoothly as the Angels had envisioned. Their opening match against Chinese Taipei’s Kaoshiung Taipower was a rough start, with the team falling in four sets. But the Angels, true to their resilient nature, bounced back.
With Day, Van Sickle, and Phillips leading the charge, they took down Hong Kong’s Hip Hing in dominating fashion, securing a crucial spot in the quarterfinals.
It was in the knockout stage that Day felt the shift. What started as an obligation quickly transformed into something much more meaningful.
Against title favorites Beijing Baic Motor, Day found herself in the fight of her life.
The American outside hitter poured her heart into every play, igniting a passion she thought had long been extinguished. She erupted for 35 points and added 15 excellent digs, playing with a fire that reminded her of the joy she once had for the sport.
Despite her monumental performance, Petro Gazz fell short in a thrilling five-set match, losing 29-31, 25-19, 25-20, 20-25, 12-15. The Angels fought valiantly but ultimately ran out of steam against the taller, more experienced Chinese squad.
“I’m very angry right now because I think that the girls did really enough for us to win,” an emotional Day said during the post-game press conference. “I could have kept it up in the last sets, but I’m really proud of how everyone worked so hard. It just brought tears to my eyes because the girls wanted it so bad and they had so much fun, this was like the most fun game I’ve ever played in. So I’m very thankful for them.”
Day continued, “Because coming here, I wasn’t having fun playing volleyball, but with them, I had so much fun. So I thank them very much for working hard.”
The words, though tinged with frustration, revealed a deeper truth: In the midst of competition and pressure, Day had rediscovered something precious—her love for the game.
What began as a mere obligation had turned into an unforgettable journey, one that reawakened the passion Day had almost forgotten. She had come to the Philippines expecting little more than another routine stint, but she left with something far more valuable: a new family, a team that reignited her spark for volleyball.
And as Day looks ahead, she’s already contemplating a return to Petro Gazz, where the magic she found on the court is just too special to let go.
“For sure, for sure,” Day said with a smile, reflecting on the bond she’d formed with her teammates. “The girls are so much fun, the culture is so fun. I know the season’s a very weird time, the import season. But I hope one day, for sure to return. Definitely, it’s in my future plans. If they’ll have me."
