DAPHNE, Alabama — Bayside Academy senior Gabby Deshotel signed Wednesday morning to play volleyball for UAB next fall.

Twice named 3A Alabama High School Athletic Association state MVP, the 6-foot middle blocker/hitter for Bayside Academy's Lady Admirals chose the Blazers over several other offers.

“I’m really excited about UAB because that’s where I wanted to go,” she said. “I visited a lot of schools to see what they were like, but I think I knew the first time I went to UAB that that's where I wanted to be. The whole school, the team, coaches, the city, Birmingham. They have a great physical therapy program at UAB and that’s what I want to go into. But it’s also kind of sad to be leaving. We are like a family here. And UAB kind of reminded me of that.”

The five-year varsity starter helped lead the Lady Admirals to five-straight state titles under the guidance of head coach Ann Schilling. Her family, immediate and extended, packed the Pilot Room overlooking Mobile Bay for the official letter of intent signing. Schilling said the family-like atmosphere was evident from the crowd.

“We really are like family here and so it's always a little bittersweet when one leaves the nest whether they're going on to play somewhere or just to study. So I’m happy for Gabby because she wants to keep playing and I think UAB is a good fit for her volleyball-wise and more.”

The family theme runs even deeper as Deshotel’s mother, Monique Adams, and Schilling played at McGill-Toolen Catholic under legendary coach Becky Dickinson, although not at the same time. The Dirty Dozen, as Mc-T’s volleyball team is known, was the reigning collector of state titles until Bayside, under Schilling — with the recent help of Adams, assistant coach and former Lady Admiral Brenda Allen and Schilling's sister Lou Ledford, who also played at Toolen and whose daughters, Sarah and Ann played for Schilling — surpassed The Dirty Dozen to hold 21 state championships. The last 11 consecutively. McGill-Toolen holds 19.

Adams went on to D-I status as a big hitter at LSU where she was twice named a first-team All America. She then played professionally in Europe and Japan.

“I just want her to be happy,” Adams said. “I’m glad and proud that she’s getting this opportunity and that she earned it working hard. You can’t do it for them. If I pushed her, it was just to work hard and never give up. Having played this sport I still see why kids fall in love with it.”

In her five years of varsity play, Deshotel contributed 2,405 kills, 1,054 blocks, 237 aces and 408 digs as a six-position player. She was named to all-regional teams in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and earned the state tournament MVP honor as a sophomore and again this year along with co-MVP and senior teammate Virginia Pittman.

“It won’t be the same without those two for sure,” Schilling said. “Gabby and Virginia complemented each other so well and so unselfishly. Usually when you have two kids that are that good, they don't exactly pull for each other. But these two built a special bond and both have had a real team-first attitude. I can't begin to even explain how big that has been for us the last few years. Not only for winning games but as a great example for the younger girls. I feel very fortunate to have coached both of them and had them here at the same time.”