U.S. wins first major women's volleyball title

MILAN - Kimberly Hill led the United States to its first major women's volleyball title, scoring 20 points in a 3-1 victory over China on Sunday in the world championships.

Hill had the final kill, and captain Christa Dietzen added 15 points in the Americans' 27-25, 25-20, 16-25, 26-24 victory before 12,600 fans at the Mediolanum Forum.

"We came here to make history and we made it," said U.S. coach Karch Kiraly, a three-time Olympic champion. "It was a tough battle, but we made it."

The U.S. women had never won the world championships, World Cup or Olympics. The Americans finished second in the world championships in 1967 and 2002.

"It's the first time for the USA and we made it," said Dietzen, the Hopewell Township, Pennsylvania, player who had knee surgery in December. "We represented present and future volleyball programs, but most importantly we did it together."

The 6-foot-4 Hill, from Portland, Oregon, was selected the tournament's best spiker. Alisha Glass of Leland, Michigan, was honored as the best setter.

Zeng Chunlei led China with 20 points.

In Saturday's semifinals, the U.S. stunned top-ranked Olympic champion Brazil 3-0.

Brazil beat Italy 25-15, 25-13, 22-25, 22-25, 15-7 in the bronze-medal match.