VOLLEYBALL star Rachel Bragg’s London 2012 adventure may have come to a conclusion in Team GB’s straight-set defeat to Japan, but she believes the legacy of their maiden Olympics will live on.

Japan had too much speed and experience for Team GB to repeat their upset defeat of Algeria, but they went down fighting in their 25-19, 25-14, 25-12 loss.

But the 27-year-old from Kidderminster maintains they bow out with their heads held high, especially when you consider they receive no direct funding from UK Sport.

Having taken the scalp of Algeria, Bragg is hoping for better things for the sport.

“We did this for ourselves, we did it on our own and we have proved to everyone else we can do that,” she said.

“We are disappointed not to the quarter-finals but the win was a fantastic achievement.

“Everyone has had to make sacrifices to get to this point but they are all worth it.

“We are so happy we are here competing and playing against the very best teams. Sometimes just winning a point can be a big morale booster.

“You don’t know what the long-term impact will be but hopefully it will put volleyball on the map.

“People will see how much of a team sport it can be and enjoyable it is and we will get more numbers involved.”

“Japan are a world-class team and we fought hard at the end. They beat us because they are better than us. The mistakes they make are virtually none.”

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