Seneca Valley graduate and California (Pa.) University junior Meghan Franz was named to the All-Atlantic Region Volleyball Team Thursday.

Franz led the team with 370 kills, 139 blocks and a .328 hitting percentage.

She also notched a career high in service aces with 35.

Mike Sherman was fired as Texas A&M's coach after the Aggies finished the regular season a disappointing 6-6.Sherman, the former Green Bay Packers coach who went 25-25 in four seasons at A&M, had three years remaining on his contract and the buyout will be about $5.8 million.

NEW YORK — Negotiations between NBA owners and players will resume Friday after the players authorized the return of the players' association, with more than 300 submitting the necessary signatures to a third-party accounting group.With the union re-formed, negotiations can take place on the remaining issues that would be in the collective bargaining agreement, according to a person familiar with the plans. The hope is to complete the CBA next week so both sides can ratify it in time to open training camps Dec. 9.

INDIANAPOLIS — Peyton Manning's injured neck is healing, he just can't start taking hits.Dr. Robert Watkins gave the winless Indianapolis Colts and their franchise quarterback the news one day after Manning's latest monthly checkup.The 35-year-old quarterback hasn't practiced since having a spinal fusion Sept. 8, surgery that was intended to repair a damaged nerve in his neck that caused weakness in his throwing arm. It was Manning's third neck surgery in 19 months and the most risky and complicated of the three.There is still no timetable for Manning's return.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings waived quarterback Donovan McNabb, giving the 13-year veteran the opportunity to sign with another team for the stretch run in a parting coach Leslie Frazier described as mutual.

K.J. Choi birdied his opening five holes at Sherwood Country Club, then held on in gusts up to 30 mph for a 6-under 66 that gave him a three-shot lead over Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker at the Chevron World Challenge.

NEW YORK — Yankees closer Mariano Rivera says he will have surgery Friday to remove polyps from his vocal chords.Talking at a charity event, Rivera said the operation at New York-Presbyterian Hospital will prevent him from speaking from a week.