Tears flowed as a generation of elite Chinese women spikers ended their careers with a bronze medal.
Head coach Chen Zhonghe and several of his team broke down in front of their fans after a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Cuba in the play-off for third.
Chen, who is likely to quit the job after seven years in charge, described the medal as a 'bronze soaked up in blood'.
'There have been so many setbacks along all these years, especially the injuries ... we were under enormous pressure,' said a tearful Chen.
'I was quite optimistic [about our Olympic prospects] until after the World Grand Prix final in Japan last month. Before we moved into the Athletes Village early this month, an unexpected wave of injuries hit the players and it really turned the tables on us.'
Key players Zhao Ruirui and Feng Kun were troubled by knee injuries on the eve of the Games.
'Feng had to apply ice packs to her knees before each training session to ease the pain,' said Chen.
