U.S. Beats Soviet Union in Volleyball Cup Opening Round

Team captain Karch Kiraly and Pat Powers led the defending champion United States to a 15-11, 9-15, 15-11, 15-9 victory over the Soviet Union Sunday night in the second match of an opening-round doubleheader of the USA Volleyball Cup.

Cuba, behind Carlos Ruiz, rallied for a 1-15, 15-3, 15-13, 15-12 win over Italy in the opener.

After trailing, 2-1, the Americans overtook the Soviet Union, 3-2, in last year’s USA Cup final. But in last month’s Goodwill Games, the Soviets, after losing the first two games, won the gold medal.

The USA Cup competition continues Tuesday night at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va., with Cuba opposing the Soviet Union and Italy playing the United States.

Wednesday night at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, the United States meets Cuba and Italy takes on the Soviets. The consolation and final games are scheduled Friday night at Springfield, Mass.