Australia have lost in straight sets to the United States in a highly charged match at the World Volleyball Championships in Poland.
The Americans came into the match needing to keep a clean sheet to keep alive their hopes of progressing to the next round, and won the match 25-15 25-19 25-20.
"It was quite clear we couldn't cope with the service, with our reception," Australian coach Jon Uriarte said.
"And when we did play well there, we came up with different kinds of errors. It is quite difficult to come out with a good result."
Australia was completely outgunned in the opening set after starting brightly.
Numerous service errors and poor serve reception were making life easy for the United States, who attacked at every opportunity.
The second set also started badly for the Australians, but some big Tom Edgar spikes helped the Volleyroos back into the set, taking the lead at 14-13, and levelling again at 18-18.
But once again the USA switched on its power game, blasting the Australians off the court.
Australia has won the third set at its last two outings, against Iran and France, but despite some nervous moments and some timely American umpire challenges, the Volleyroos lost the final set 25-20.
Australia now plays their final match of the World Championships against Italy early Monday morning (AEST), a match captain Aidan Zingel says the Volleyroos will be desperate to win.
"It's a big game for us, because we don't want to finish bottom of the pool," he said.
"So we've got to be ready for that."
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