Sports digest

YSU

Esposito resigns as volleyball coach

YOUNGSTOWN — Recently-hired volleyball coach Chad Esposito has stepped down for personal reasons.

A new coach met with the team Friday morning and is already in place to lead the Penguins’ program. Pending the approval of paperwork, the name and credentials of the new coach will be announced in the near future.

“Chad did not expect the overwhelming and conflicted emotions he felt from living apart from his family, which remains in North Carolina,” said YSU athletics director Ron Strollo said. “He communicated that he believes in the potential for the Youngstown State volleyball program to make great strides, and that it is headed in the right direction with the department’s support. He just realized that he’s not in the position personally to lead that process.”

AREA

Lyell to box Jan. 29

NILES — Middleweight contender Billy Lyell of Niles will return to the ring to fight veteran Bruce Rumbolz (22-19) as the main event of a Jan. 29 card at the Waterfront Place Hotel in Morgantown, W.Va.

Lyell (21-7), who has won five of his last six bouts, is ranked No. 14 by the IBF.

Lyell, 25, is 2-0 at the Waterfront, having beaten Vance Garvey (unanimous decision on Nov. 11, 2008) and Don Shrock (UD, April 26, 2008).

The 36-year-old Rumboltz upset previously world ranked super middleweight Shawn Hammack (19-6) last June.

nation

Redmond agrees to $850,000 deal

CLEVELAND — The Indians don’t know who their starting catcher will be this year. However, they’ve already settled on a backup.

Cleveland agreed Friday to an $850,000, one-year contract with free agent Mike Redmond, giving the Indians needed experience after trading Kelly Shoppach to Tampa Bay last month. Shoppach’s departure left Cleveland without a dependable backup to work with its young pitching staff.

The Indians feel they can count on Redmond, a 12-year veteran who spent the past five seasons with Minnesota.

“He’s a good receiver and game caller,” assistant general manager Chris Antonetti said. “We feel he’s a good complement to our team. He’ll provide leadership and mentor our young catchers as well as our pitching staff.”

Strummer wins Big A

NEW YORK — Strummer held off System Restore by a head Friday in the $42,000 allowance feature for New York-breds at Aqueduct.

The 7-year-old gelding ridden by Richard Migliore ran the six furlongs in 1:11.17 on the fast track.

Trained by Gary Sciacca, Strummer improved to 12 for 52, paying $16.60, $8.20 and $5.40. System Restore returned $6.20 and $5. Lookin At Her, earned $5.20 for third.

world

Dakar rider Manca breathing on his own

SANTIAGO, Chile — Hospital officials in Chile say Italian motorcyclist Luca Manca is breathing on his own and speaking with family members.

Manca is recovering from life-threatening head injuries sustained last week in the Dakar Rally.

The 29-year-old suffered serious head injuries on Jan. 7 when he fell from his bike in northern Chile. He was airlifted to the Chilean capital Santiago and placed in an induced coma. He could breathe only with the aid of a respirator.

Dr. Alberto Munoz, the head of the intensive care unit at Mutual de Seguridad Hospital in Santiago, said Friday that Manca’s chances for a recovery were good.

Cyclist Rasmussen signs with Miche

COPENHAGEN — Danish cyclist Michael Rasmussen is gearing up for a comeback after signing a one-year contract with small Italian team Miche Silver Cross.

Rasmussen led the 2007 Tour de France when he was kicked off his Rabobank team for lying about his whereabouts when he missed pre-race doping tests. He was eventually given a two-year ban for avoiding drug tests, and hasn’t competed since.

Danish newspaper Politiken reported Friday that Rasmussen signed a contract with Miche this month and will make his debut next week in Argentina’s Tour de San Luis.

Ivory Coast reaches soccer quarterfinals

CABINDA, Angola — Didier Drogba scored Ivory Coast’s final goal, and the Elephants advanced to the quarterfinals of the African Cup of Nations with a 3-1 victory over Ghana on Friday night.

Favored to win its first title since 1992, Ivory Coast went ahead in the 23rd when Gervinho tapped in Salomon Kalou’s cross. Siaka Tiene scored off a kick free in the 67th and Drogba added a goal in the 90th. The Elephants finished a man short after Emmanuel Eboue was ejected in the 56th for a foul.

Ghana scored when Asamoah Gyan converted a penalty kick in second-half injury time. Michael Essien entered for the Black Stars at the start of the second half, his first game since injuring a hamstring in Chelsea’s Champions League match against APOEL Nicosia on Dec. 8.

Vindicator staff/wire reports