U.S. men rout China on coach's return

BEIJING (Reuters) - The U.S. men's volleyball team beat China in straight sets on Saturday and secured a spot in the next round at the Olympics as a coach whose father-in-law was stabbed to death in Beijing returned to the court.

U.S. head coach Hugh McCutcheon's return after the stabbing death of his father-in-law Todd Bachman at a Beijing tourist landmark a week ago gave the team focus, players said.

"It's always good to have your leader back, and it's great to have the complete team in order," U.S. player Kevin Hansen said.

"Hopefully we can focus on the matches now that we have to play to win, rather than on the tragedy behind us."

In other matches, Serbia overcame injuries to edge out Germany while Italy brushed aside Bulgaria.

(Reporting by Ralph Jennings)