Nicole Fawcett scored a team-high 14 points as the US claimed a 25-18, 25-18, 25-15 victory at the expense of their neighbours. 

Karsta Lowe totalled 10 points as a substitute in all three sets, while Jordan Larson and Kelsey Robinson, both of whom played collegiate volleyball at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, added 10 and nine points respectively.

"I thought we kept our patience in the match," said US captain Christa Dietzen.

"Was it our best match, no.

"But I think if we are operating at a C level or B-minus, we have to find ways to win."

In the first match on the opening day of action, the Dominican Republic came from a set behind to beat Puerto Rico 17-25, 25-13, 25-23, 25-23.

Prisilla Rivera and Brayelin Martínez led the way for the Dominican Republic on 16 points each with Gina Mambrú scoring 15 and Jineiry Martínez adding 11.

Tomorrow’s action sees the Dominican Republic face Canada before Puerto Rico go up against the US.

The winner of the four-team round-robin tournament will qualify for Rio 2016, while the second and third-placed teams will play in World Olympic Qualification Tournament, scheduled to take place at some point between May 14 and June 5.

Meanwhile on day two of the South American Olympic Qualification Tournament in San Carlos de Bariloche, home nation Argentina made it two wins out of two with a 25-18, 25-16, 17-25, 25-18 triumph over Venezuela.

Venezuela started strongly but were suddenly struck by errors, which allowed the Argentines to take the first two sets.

The deficit was halved as Venezuelan servers hounded the Argentine defence to secure the third, but the hosts regained their composure in the fourth to seal victory.

"We won an important match," said Argentina’s Josefina Fernandez.

"We were able to play at a good level.

"We followed our game plan and this match was a test of character in difficult moments in the match.

"It was a good win for us."

Argentina’s opening win came yesterday against Chile, who suffered a second consecutive loss at the hands of Peru.

Carla Rueda and Ángela Leyva scored 27 points between them for Peru - only six points less than their opponents' total output in the match - in a commanding 25-10, 25-13, 25-10 success.

Argentina will have a rest day tomorrow, as Venezuela and Chile are due meet in the first match and Peru and Colombia play in the second encounter.