After taking the first set, the Australian team of Christie Jenkins, Britt Kendall, Johannah Rohkamper, Alisha Stevens and Stef Weiler were unable to close out the match in a tight struggle.

Kendall said despite the disappointment the team would use the experience to grow as a team.

“We’re super disappointed but I’m also really happy with the volleyball the girls put together tonight,” Kendall said.

“We fought really hard and we worked really well as a team. For it to not come off in such a tight game is just how sport can go. We’ll work really hard as a team to come back from this and continue to get better.

“Coming together for this tournament into a 4x4 from normal pairs is really different - being used to playing with one person and knowing them inside out and knowing each other’s style of play to gelling as a new team of four was a good learning experience.”

After losing to Canada 2-0 in the pool stages, the Australians looked set to reverse the scoreline in the medal rounds after a strong first set. However the Canadians rebounded strongly to take the second and close out the game in a nailbiting deciding set.

Sixteen-year-old Alisha Stevens was looking at the positives the Australians could take from the tournament.

“Missing out on a medal like this is tough, but it’s been an amazing experience,” she said. “Playing with these girls who have so much talent and learning as much as I can from them has been the highlight.

“We definitely improved as the tournament went on. Even though we lost the bronze game, but we’re still playing for Australia on the international stage. 

“I’ve gotten so much experience from these Games, playing through pressure and in different environments, that will hopefully help me to be standing on a podium for Australia in the future.”