The United States beat Japan in four sets Thursday at the men's volleyball World Cup, which serves as a qualifier for the 2004 Olympics.
Brook Billings and Gabriel Gardner led the U.S. team to its 19-25, 25-14, 25-23, 25-19 victory at Hiroshima Green Arena.
The Americans improved to 3-1 and handed Japan its first loss.
In other matches, reigning Olympic champion Serbia and Montenegro improved to 4-0 by defeating Canada 25-14, 23-25, 25-20, 26-24. Also, Brazil (4-0) beat Italy in four sets, China topped Egypt in three sets, South Korea defeated France, and Venezuela downed Tunisia.