Neval Stowers and Eneliko Tui set the tone for Team Samoa's success in beach volleyball when they beat heavyweights, Tahiti, 2-1.

Tahiti's Terau Ena and Jeremy Paraue led the first set steadily but Stowers and Tui caught up right before the last switch and took the first set 25-23 to Samoa.

On the second set, Team Tahiti dominated to stay ahead of Samoa and finish strongly with a 21-12 to Tahiti.

But Samoa came back strongly in the last set and led all the way before wrapping it up with the match points of 15-11 to Samoa.

Stowers thanks the Lord for his guidance and told Samoa Observer the match was tough like any other first game.

"This is hard tournament because all the great teams from around the Pacific, but Tahiti were the one we were most eager about and it's finally ended well," he said.

Tui echoed similar sentiments.

"We thank God for a successful game, but this is just the beginning. There are all great teams and we're particularly looking at another match from Australia," said Tui.

Samoa's men team are in Pool B with Cook Islands, Palau and Tahiti.

Prior to Samoa's first game, Papua New Guinea opened the tournament by defeating Northern Mariana Island by 2-0, followed by a match Kiribati won against Tuvalu by 2-1.

Today, Samoa's women team will be kick starting the second day, playing against Marshall Islands at 9 a.m., at the Apia Waterfront.

17 countries altogether are competing in the Pacific Games beach volleyball competition.

Neval Stowers and Eneliko Tui will be hoping that they can build on their success in snatching gold at the Arafura Games in Australia in May this year.