Hughes selected as PAC player of the week

Hughes selected as PAC player of the week

Beaver falls P.A.

Erica Hughes (Jackson Milton) was named as the Presidents’ Athletic Conference volleyball player of the week . The Geneva College freshman led the Golden Tornadoes offense to defeat both opponents in three sets. She had 19 kills over the Westminster Titans and had 16 kills against the Thomas More Saints. Hughes has now been selected as the PAC volleyball player of the week three times this season.

Columbiana’s Rankin sets tackle record

LISBON

Free safety Tim Rankin of Columbiana set a school record with a total of 31 tackles in Friday’s loss to Lisbon. He had 22 solo and had nine first hit/assists. The old record was 28 by Jon Hawkins against East Palestine in 1994.

Cardinals plan to keep catcher Molina active

SAN FRANCISCO

The St. Louis Cardinals plan for now to keep catcher Yadier Molina active on their active roster despite a strained left oblique muscle sustained in Game 2.

Molina flew on the team charter to the Bay Area on Sunday night after leaving Busch Stadium for an MRI exam. After the team arrived at AT&T Park on Monday, Molina met with team doctors and medical staff in the training room of the visitors’ clubhouse.

Manager Mike Matheny was encouraged Molina was able to throw Monday. Matheny carried three catchers and has Tony Cruz and A.J. Pierzynski to fill the big void, if needed.

Hornets PG Walker injured vs. Magic

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

Charlotte Hornets point guard Kemba Walker suffered a contusion on his left knee during Monday night’s NBA preseason game against the Orlando Magic.

Walker, playing in the final year of his rookie contract with the Hornets, was injured early in the third quarter. With 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter, Walker had come up with his own rebound on a missed 3-pointer, and was driving to the basket for a layup when he suddenly pulled up.

Walker walked slowly along the baseline as play moved to the other end of the court before Charlotte called timeout. A minute later, Walker was taken to the locker room. He did not return for Monday’s game, finishing with 11 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Walker, the ninth pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, was coming off a career-best season for Charlotte, which advanced to the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2010.

Buckeyes return vs. Rutgers after bye week

COLUMBUS

In a season of fits and starts for No. 13 Ohio State, the stretch run awaits.

After two bye weeks in the last month, the Buckeyes play on the next seven Saturdays to complete the regular season. How things turn out will determine if they’re busy an eighth weekend at the Big Ten championship game.

Coach Urban Meyer isn’t happy that his team — riding a three-game winning streak over which the average score was 56-17 — didn’t have a game last week. But he feels it made the most of the time, working on some problem areas while taking a deep breath before the trials that await.

The road to championships and bowl trips after the season starts Saturday at Ohio Stadium against Rutgers.

Shelly says he talked business with Snyder

PHOENIX

Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly says he talked business with Redskins owner Dan Snyder at Sunday’s NFL game and not about the ongoing debate over the team’s name and logo.

Shelly said Monday that he and Snyder spoke about expanding an agreement the tribe made with the team earlier this year.

Shelly talked to Snyder about other possible initiatives, including construction of an indoor sports pavilion on the reservation.

Staff/wire reports