PITTSBURGH — Seneca Valley graduate and Pitt volleyball freshman libero Angela Seman had 21 digs in the Panthers' 28-30, 25-22, 25-22, 21-25, 15-11 win over North Carolina State over the weekend.

Pitt improved to 21-7 overall, 11-5 in ACC play.

[naviga:h3]White earns nod for PAC all-conference[/naviga:h3]

GROVE CITY — Mars graduate Jordyn White, who is a senior defender for the Grove City College women's soccer team, was named to the first team of the Presidents' Athletic Conference all-star team.

White recorded five assists and five goals for the Wolverines, while helping to anchor a team that recorded 12 shutouts in 23 matches.

[naviga:h3]Saints fire Ryan as def. coordinator[/naviga:h3]

METAIRIE, La. — Saints coach Sean Payton promised changes were coming to his sagging defense. He started by firing defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

Senior defensive assistant Dennis Allen will assume Ryan’s duties.

The move, announced on Payton’s weekly radio show on WWL-AM, comes a day after the Saints allowed 526 yards in a 47-14 loss to Washington. The Saints rank last in the NFL in yards allowed per game with 424.7, yards allowed per play with 6.7 and points allowed per game with 31.5.

[naviga:h3]No suspension coming for Ward[/naviga:h3]

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver safety T.J. Ward won’t be suspended over his ejection from the Broncos’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Ward was tossed for a blow to the head when receiver Jeremy Maclin took him out on Charcandrick West’s 80-yard touchdown Sunday that put the Chiefs ahead 29-0 on their way to a 29-13 win.

[naviga:h3]Tar Heels No. 1 in college hoop poll[/naviga:h3]

NEW YORK — North Carolina is No. 1 in the first regular-season men’s college basketball poll by The Associated Press after opening with victories over Temple and Fairfield.

The Tar Heels were the preseason No. 1 for a record ninth time. They received 37 first-place votes from the 65-member national media panel — 29 more than second-place Kentucky. Maryland is third with 14 first-place votes and Kansas is fourth with five first-place votes.

Defending national champion Duke is fifth.

[naviga:h3]McDowell succeeds in OHL golf playoff[/naviga:h3]

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico — Graeme McDowell ended one of his worst years with one of his best shots.

Fortunate to even get into a playoff, McDowell ended it quickly with a 5-iron that grazed the edge of the cup on the 18th hole and settled 3 feet away for a birdie to win the OHL Classic at Mayakoba.