Russia wins again at women's volleyball World Cup

SENDAI, Japan (AP) Unbeaten Russia kept up its ruthless form at the women's volleyball World Cup Sunday, beating South Korea in straight sets 25-20, 26-24, 25-22 in Sendai to remain top of the rankings with 17 points.

Tournament top-scorer Nataliya Obmochaeva was again the dominant force, notching 25 points to make it six wins from six for Yuri Marichev's side, which hasn't made the podium at the World Cup since a second-place finish in 1999.

U.S. is hot on Russia's heels and claimed its fourth consecutive straight-sets win, downing Kenya 25-15, 25-16, 25-13 in Okayama - Nicole Fawcett high-scoring with 16.

That victory leaves Karch Kiraly's team just one point adrift in second, and the 54-year-old is demanding constant improvement from his players as they head into the business end of the competition.

He says: ''Our big goal is to be the best learners and improvers we can possibly be.''

Elsewhere, straight-sets triumphs over Peru and Cuba, respectively, saw Japan and China improve to 15 points, while Serbia moved onto 14 after beating Dominican Republic 25-18, 25-22, 25-22.

Meanwhile Argentina overcame winless Algeria 25-11, 25-8, 25-11.