Volleyball | USA moves top at women’s World Cup after Russia loses

USA capitalized on a rare Russia defeat to move to the top of the rankings at the women’s volleyball World Cup yesterday, beating Argentina 25-16, 25-19, 25-14 in Okayama.
That win — in which Kimberly Hill top-scored with 13 points — improved the U.S. to 19 points, one ahead of Russia which lost for the first time at the competition to Serbia.
“We approach every day like a gold-medal match day,” USA captain Christa Dietzen said. “We’re engaged, we’re focused and we don’t take days off.”
Russia took the first two sets against Serbia in Sendai, but Zoran Terzic’s side battled back to claim the final three sets, triumphing 22-25, 22-25, 25-14, 25-23, 15-12.
Tijana Boskovic was in sensational form for Serbia — which also dealt USA its only loss of the tournament so far, back on August 23 — plundering 27 points as her team picked up its sixth straight win to improve to 16 points.
Japan and China remained two points ahead of Serbia after picking up straight sets wins.
Host Japan beat South Korea 25-17, 26-24, 25-17 in Sendai to move second in the rankings — ahead of Russia on points ratio — while China sits fourth — behind Russia on sets ratio — after beating Kenya 25-7, 25-15, 25-14 in Okayama.
Elsewhere, Dominican Republic downed Peru 25-18, 25-19, 22-25, 25-17, and Cuba picked up its second victory of the competition, overcoming winless Algeria 25-17, 25-16, 25-14. AP