Sports briefs for May 10, 2004

Monday, May 10, 2004 | 9:23 a.m.

2003 Derby winner Santos sues paper

The jockey who rode Funny Cide to victory in last year's Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes is suing the Miami Herald for libel, seeking $48 million in damages.

The suit, filed last week in federal court, contends the newspaper printed articles and photographs about Chilean jockey Jose Santos that were libelous even after Santos "directly and inarguably disagreed with, contradicted and denied all of the allegations" presented by a reporter during a telephone interview.

Robert Beatty, attorney and spokesman for the Miami Herald Publishing Co., said Sunday he had not seen the lawsuit.

Bengals waive Kittner

Quarterback Kurt Kittner was waived by Cincinnati on Sunday, less than two weeks after the Bengals claimed him off waivers from the Atlanta Falcons.

Kittner was the Falcons' fifth-round pick in 2002 and didn't play as a rookie. He started four games and appeared in seven last season, going 44-of-114 for 391 yards with two TDs and six INTs.

Venus withdraws

Venus Williams pulled out before the German Open final Sunday after twisting her left ankle a day earlier in the semifinals. Her withdrawal handed the title to Amelie Mauresmo.

BYU wins NCAA title

Brigham Young rallied to win its third NCAA men's volleyball title in five years.

The top-seeded Cougars overcame three championship points to beat Long Beach State 15-30, 30-18, 20-30, 32-30, 19-17 Saturday night in a rematch of the 1999 championship match won by BYU.

Perfect USC triumphs

Freshman Brittany Hayes scored three goals as Southern California (29-0) won the NCAA women's water polo title with a 10-8 victory over Loyola Marymount on Sunday.