LONDON, July 28 (UPI) -- Destinee Hooker recorded 19 spikes Saturday and the United States' women's volleyball team fought off South Korea in four sets to open the Olympic tournament.
The Americans, who lost to Brazil in the gold medal match four years ago, joined China as a winner in Group B at the start of the round-robin portion of the event.
After coasting through the first two sets 25-19, 25-20, the United States struggled in the third. South Korea gained some hope by capturing that set 25-20, but Team USA closed out the match with a 25-21 fourth set.
The United States will meet Brazil Monday in what will be one of the most anticipated matches of the group phase.
In Group A, Japan, Russia and Italy all posted straight-sets victories. Russia downed the host British, allowing them only 45 points over three sets.
