LONDON >> The defending champion U.S. men’s volleyball team opened Olympic play Sunday by sweeping Serbia behind Matt Anderson’s 18 points.

Hawaii’s Clay Stanley added 13 points in the 25-17, 25-22, 25-21 victory at Earls Court.

The Americans were not considered a favorite despite a silver-medal finish in the recent FIVB World League tournament. But they were formidable against Serbia, which won the Olympic gold in Sydney in 2000 and finished fifth in Beijing in 2008.

Marko Podrascanin had 13 points, including two aces, for the Serbians.

“It was a good match. We fought hard and won in three straight, which is pretty much exactly what our game plan was to do,” Anderson said. “We wanted to serve tough and put a lot of pressure on them, and I think we executed that pretty well.”

The U.S. jumped to an 18-7 lead in the first, set and the public address announcer proclaimed it an “absolute mauling.” David Lee spiked for set point.

Serbia went up 6-2 in the second set before the Americans rallied. The Serbians managed to hold off the Americans for three set points before a return error ended the set.

David Suxho’s ace made it 15-7 in the third, and the Americans were on their way, drawing chants of “U-S-A!” from the crowd.

“It was a well-played match, and it was probably more the mindset of the players that got them through,” Knipe said. “We did a really good job to maintain our composure when we were down in the second set.”

Serbian wing spiker Milos Nikic gave credit to the United States for the victory.

“We didn’t really get into it. We played well in parts, but we didn’t keep our momentum,” he said. “We can play better.”

Since volleyball became an Olympic sport in 1964, the U.S. men have won three gold medals — Los Angeles in 1984, Seoul in 1988 and Beijing in 2008. The men won the bronze in 1992.

In early matches Sunday, Bulgaria swept Britain, 25-18, 25-20, 26-24, and Russia defeated Germany 31-29, 25-18, 25-17. Australia, coached by Jon Uriarte, lost to Argentina 25-21, 25-22 25-20. Son Nicolas Uriarte is a setter on the Argentine team.