LONDON (AP) — Destinee Hooker had 21 points and the United States held off late-charging South Korea 3-1 in their opening match at the London Olympics.
At one point the fans at Earls Court chanted “Des-tin-ee! Des-tin-ee!” as she dominated the 25-19, 25-17, 20-25, 25-21 victory.
The United States, which won the silver medal in Beijing and is currently ranked No. 1 in the world, jumped out to a 17-11 lead in the first set after one of Hooker’s seemingly effortless spikes, and the tone of the match appeared set.
Kim Yeon-koung had 29 points for South Korea, which rallied in the third set but ultimately feel short.
