It was all about the experience back then. The build-up was intense, but simply qualifying was the real goal, and that only occurred a month out from Rio with victory at the Asian Continental Cup. That scored Australia an additional quota for the Games which was handed to Mariafe and partner Nikki Laird.

Shortly after her first Games, Mariafe and Taliqua Clancy started a new combination and the on-court chemistry took little time to build. But by the end of 2018 the pair were Asian Champions and Commonwealth Games silver medallists. In 2019 they retained their Asian crown and won bronze at the World Championships.

And while COVID threw everyone’s Tokyo preparations into a tailspin, the combination continued to hone their game, relocating to Brisbane to be able to train all-year round while the world was in lockdown.

When the Tokyo Games were eventually held in 2021, the duo was feeling good about their Olympic prospects and managed to capture the heart of all the Australians watching from home, progressing to the final and claiming the silver medal.

Coming into Paris 2024, life looks vastly different for Mariafe, now 30.

She is married, has a burgeoning fashion label and is able to draw on years of experience to help her focus on what it takes to stay at the top of the sport.

“I’m definitely proud of the person I’ve become as a result of all the things I’ve gone through,” she said. “Professionally and personally, I think it’s really shaped me to be the person I am and I’m proud of that.

“Looking back, volleyball has played a massive role in my life - it was everything for such a long time, but as I get older my priorities start changing and pivoting but at the same time I’m grateful that I’m able to use my platform that I’ve built through volleyball.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do that without what I’ve built throughout my volleyball career.”

Mariafe is able to look back at the qualification pressure of Rio and the uncertainty of Tokyo to enjoy the lead-in to Paris. While the qualification period for the Games does not close until June, Mariafe and Taliqua are well-placed as they eye off their third Olympics individually and their second as a team, allowing them to enjoy the excitement which comes with Paris just around the corner.

“Our qualification process doesn’t end until June, but we’re pretty certain we should get that spot, and knowing that our family and friends are going to be able to be a part of it makes it really exciting,” she said.

“Now that we’re getting close to the Games, more and more media is starting to come up and so it starts to feel a little more real.”

The ups and downs of nearly a decade on the international tour can make or break an athlete, however Mariafe believes that as a pair, they are able to gain a renewed focus on what they need to do to compete and the results continue to shine through.

In the past 12 months, niggling injuries have not stopped Mariafe and Taliqua being in medal contention or making it onto the podium at the premier tournaments in the sport on the international Beach Pro Tour. Not even a crippling tummy bug could deny the pair making it all the way to the bronze medal match at last year’s World Championships in Mexico, an achievement which should not be underestimated given how close the team came to withdrawing.

“There’s now that resilience that no matter how you feel you can still turn up and make it work, and that your body’s capable of so much; trusting each other and doing it really - just getting it done,” Mariafe said. “I think knowing that when I was throwing up… at World Champs and we can still make it to the semis, I feel like it gives us pretty good confidence that we’re able to perform, no matter what.”

Eight years after becoming an Olympian, many things have changed for Mariafe, including a far more balanced lifestyle where she can focus on all the things which are important in her life. However it is not lost on the 30-year-old how privileged she will be to compete at one of the most iconic venues in the history of the modern Olympics.

“The fire is definitely still there otherwise I wouldn’t be doing it still,” she said. “It just requires so much of ourselves. Getting up to train everyday, going to training when it’s raining. The motivation isn’t always there but the discipline is definitely always there. I’m definitely still hungry to get a medal, and get a gold medal.

“It’s going to be amazing having all of our loved ones there and playing in front of the Eiffel Tower, such a unique venue,” she said.

“Without being biased, beach volleyball is definitely going to be the most popular event!”

As a globetrotting athlete who has seen everything an international beach volleyball career has to offer, Mariafe can also be seen on the sidelines coaching high school athletes. And as an Olympian who is now enjoying life both on and off the court, she believes others can learn from the experiences she has gained over the last decade and is keen to help others with that balance.

“When I was younger, volleyball was all I did so I defined myself on whether I won or not,” she said. “Over the years, through all the experiences and maturity I’ve really learned that it’s only a part of my life in the bigger picture.

“You are a human first before you’re a professional player. Your worth doesn’t come from winning and losing. I’ve come to terms with that over the last four years which is why I don’t define myself purely through sport.”