Sports briefs: Sebastian Vettel earns sixth Formula One victory of the year

AUTO RACING • Sebastian Vettel earned his sixth Formula One victory of the year Sunday with a resilient performance in the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, stretching his lead in the point standings.

Vettel overcame a difficult start from the pole position and gearbox trouble to beat Ferrari's Fernando Alonso and Red Bull teammate Mark Webber.

Alonso is 53 points behind Vettel with seven races to go. Lewis Hamilton is 81 points back in third.

Vettel locked his tires on the first turn as the Ferrari of Felipe Massa pressured him from behind, but the German recovered to beat Alonso by 5.4 seconds.

Gibb, Patterson win title in New Jersey

volleyball • Bountiful's Jake Gibb and partner Casey Patterson topped Sean Rosenthal and Phil Dalhausser 21-9, 21-15 for the men's championship at the Do AC Pro Beach Volleyball Invitational on Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.

Jen Kessy and April Ross won the women's title, beating Emily Day and Summer Ross 23-25, 21-16, 15-13.

Frenchman takes stage in Vuelta

cycling • Frenchman Alexandre Geniez won a grueling 15th stage of the Spanish Vuelta that ended with a summit finish in his home country, while Vincenzo Nibali fended off his rivals' attacks to retain the overall lead.

Geniez broke away on a solo escape before the last of four category-one climbs to claim the 140-mile stage that started in the principality of Andorra and finished at the Peyragudes summit.

The 25-year-old Geniez, riding for FDJ.FR, finished in 6 hours, 20 minutes, 12 seconds. Michele Scarponi was second, more than three minutes behind, and Nicolas Roche was third.

Car hits, kills UCLA freshman receiver

college football • UCLA freshman receiver Nick Pasquale has been struck by a car and killed while walking in his hometown of San Clemente. He was 20. The Orange County Sheriff's Department reports that Pasquale was struck about 1:30 a.m. Sunday. It wasn't immediately clear if he was trying to cross a street, and the accident is under investigation. The Bruins (1-0) did not have a game this week.

From wire reports