The future of coach Dame Noeline Taurua is uncertain after the Silver Ferns fell to their worst ever finish at a World Cup.
The defending champions were soundly beaten by Jamaica 52-45 in the bronze medal match in Cape Town, failing to medal for the first time ever.
The Ferns were forced to watch from the stands, as Australia were crowned champions with their convincing win over England in the final.
"We are really sorry that we couldn't do it," said Ekenasio. "That's really heartbreaking for us not to be able to do it for our country."
The pain of missing out on a medal left the Silver Ferns broken.
"We knew what this game meant, not only for our team, but for the Silver Ferns brand," said Dame Noeline.
The Silver Ferns worst ever World Cup serves up many questions, not least of which includes the future of Dame Noeline Taurua, who's off contract after October's Constellation Cup.
Former Silver Fern and renowned coach Margaret Foster insists Taurua remains the best person for the job.
"She's just one of those types of coaches that's just world class," Foster told Newshub.
But Foster's greatest concern is how much the players have slipped in standard and she urges Netball New Zealand to look across the ditch for answers.
"We probably need to look at some different things in regards to being involved back in the trans-Tasman competition," said Foster.
The Silver Ferns will need to lick their wounds and move on quickly with the Taini Jamison Trophy on the line against England next month.
