Enquirer staff and wire reports

Qualifying for the Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open begins at 10 a.m. today at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason.

Former UC player Kara Molony-Hussey will play Delia Sescioreanu in the third match on Center Court, which is expected to begin at approximately 1 p.m. Tetiana Luzhanska, who defeated Molony-Hussey in the Cincinnati Met final, will play Salome Devidze in the fourth match on the Grandstand Court.

Thirty-two players will try for the four open spots in the main draw, which begins Monday. Qualifier tickets are $5 and available by calling (513) 651-0303. Children 14 and under admitted at no charge.

--Dustin Dow

Creighton added to XU's schedule

Xavier's men's team will play Creighton at home this season as the beginning of a four-year home-and-home series, leaving the Musketeers with one home game to schedule for the upcoming season.

--Dustin Dow

Xavier adds track for men and women

Xavier University is adding men's and women's track, bringing to 17 the number of Division I programs, athletic director Dawn Rogers announced Friday. This is the first time XU has added a sport since women's golf in 1992.

Cross country coach Steve Nester will coach both teams, indoor and outdoor.

"The addition of track also elevates our cross country programs in the Atlantic 10 Conference and the Midwest Region," Nester said. "Our recruiting focus in the beginning will be on the 400-meter distances and longer, although we will try to attract competitors in the sprint events as well."

--Dustin Dow

MIAMI FOOTBALL: Coach Terry Hoeppner unveils the 115th edition of the RedHawks beginning at 11 a.m. today as part of the second annual Pigskin Preview. After a picture and autograph session, a picnic lunch will be served at noon in the Yager Stadium complex, followed by a scrimmage. Tickets for the lunch are $15 for adults and $10 for children.

UK BASKETBALL: Big Blue Madness, a longtime staple at Kentucky's on-campus Memorial Coliseum, will remain at the old facility this year, UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart said.

Next year the event might move off campus to Rupp Arena - where Kentucky plays its home basketball games - as the Wildcats celebrate their 30th anniversary of playing in that arena.

MOUNT ST. JOSEPH: The volleyball team has been selected as the favorite to repeat as the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference champion in a coaches' poll.

Horse racing

SARVIS WINS 5 AT RD: Leading jockey Dean Sarvis rode rive winners in eight races Friday at River Downs.

He won with Foe Fives ($8.40), Romping Rosie ($4), Mucci's Market ($8.40), Lil Man ($4.20) and Well Dun Ferdinand ($6.60).

"I felt a challenge going out for the last race," Sarvis said. "I had won four before, but never five. It feels great."

ARLINGTON MILLION: Sweet Return, trained by Northern Kentucky native and Hall of Famer Ron McAnally and ridden by Hall of Famer Jerry Bailey, is the 7-to-2 favorite in today's race.

Football

COMETS PLAY TODAY: The Kings Comets (2-1) host the Michigan Twisters (0-2) in a Mid-Continental Football League game at 7 p.m. today at Princeton High Stadium.

NBA

BRYANT CASE: The judge in the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case denied a request from prosecutors for an indefinite delay in the trial, saying there was no justification for a postponement.

But in two other rulings, the judge sided with prosecutors - limiting or prohibiting potentially damaging testimony about the accuser's mental health, purported suicide attempts and use of any drugs or alcohol. Jury selection begins Aug. 27.

CELTICS-LAKERS: A multiplayer trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics was amended after Gary Payton refused to report for a physical. Boston had agreed in advance to waive the requirement that Payton undergo a physical exam Friday. The amended trade will give Los Angeles forward Jumaine Jones instead of guard Marcus Banks. Boston no longer will be required to give up its second-round draft choice.

NETS: Forward Richard Jefferson has signed a six-year, $78 million contact extension with New Jersey.

NHL

DEVILS: New Jersey's Scott Niedermayer, winner of last season's Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman, was awarded a record-tying $7 million contract by an arbitrator. The award matches the $7 million given to Philadelphia's John LeClair in 2000.