US starts women's volleyball World Cup with win

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MATSUMOTO, Japan (AP) — Foluke Akinradewo scored 15 points Saturday as the United States started the women's volleyball World Cup with a straight-sets win over South Korea.

Kimberly Hill added 13 points as the U.S. won 25-15, 25-22, 25-15. The Americans have never won the World Cup but made the podium in each of the last three editions, including a runners-up finish in 2011.

Russia also began with a comfortable victory, downing Dominican Republic 25-15, 25-18, 25-18 in Tokyo, with Nataliya Obmochaeva scoring 24 points.

Cuba - the most successful World Cup team with four titles - had to work a bit harder for its opening win before overcoming Kenya 27-25, 25-23, 12-25, 25-22 in Tokyo.