THIBODAUX, La. — B.T. Sanders has received a preseason football honor. The Nicholls State University (La.) senior defensive back has been named to the preseason all-Southland Conference first team. He was the lone Colonel recognized on the first or second team.

The Foley High School graduate has started at safety two years. He ranked second on the team in tackles last year, when he was an all-conference second-team selection. He tied for the team lead with three forced fumbles. He had one fumble recovery and one sack.

More football:

•Robertsdale High graduate Dylan Smith is a freshman quarterback for Alabama A&M University.

•Robertsdale product Ryan Hagaman is a freshman linebacker for University of West Florida.

•Another from the Golden Bears, Adam Sanders is a freshman tight end for West Florida.

•Grey Jackson, who played for Fairhope High, is a freshman quarterback for West Florida.

•Spanish Fort High alumnus Tony Mitchell is a freshman defensive back for East Tennessee State University.

•Gulf Shores High graduate Anthony Byrd is a redshirt freshman defensive lineman for Mississippi College.

•Previously at Baldwin County High, Christopher Faulkner is a freshman defensive lineman for Tuskegee University.

•Davoris Thomas is a freshman linebacker for Tuskegee. He is out of Spanish Fort High.

Women's volleyball:

University of Alabama Birmingham outside hitter Gabby Deshotel has been named to the preseason all-Conference USA team. The Bayside Academy graduate is a senior for the Blazers in her final year of eligibility. She started all 32 matches for the Blazers last season, recorded a team high 504 kills, 1473 total attempts and 4.31 kills per set. She finished the season with a .200 attack percentage, recorded a career-best 26 kills against Gardner-Webb, finished the season with 260 digs and recorded a dig in all 32 matches and had double figure kills in 25 matches, including a season-high streak of nine.

•Fellow Blazer senior Amber Treace of Spanish Fort returns after she started all 32 matches for the Blazers last year. The UAB setter recorded 946 assists to rank first on the squad and ninth in the conference, set a career-high 56 assists against Marshall (Oct. 30), ranked second on the squad with 33 service aces while finishing seventh in the league, totaled 179 digs and 31 blocks while adding 41 kills for the offense.

•Taylor Hurst is a freshman outside hitter for Spring Hill College. She played for Gulf Shores.

•Also from Gulf Shores, Emily Davis is a freshman setter and defensive specialist for Belhaven University.

•Fairhope graduate Rickie Lee Constant is a freshman outside hitter for Nicholls State.

•Out of Central Christian School, Theresa Sullivan is a freshman outside hitter for Toccoa Falls College (Ga.).

•Former Toro Anna Claire Whaley is a freshman right side hitter for University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Send updates about area athletes to Barbara Boxleitner at bboxleitner@outlook.com.