WAYNE CITY — The NCOE Fighting Cardinals are headed back to the 1A Elite Eight after sweeping Cumberland 25-14, 25-17 to win the Wayne City Sectional championship.

NCOE used multiple weapons in the arsenal to take control early. Junior Hollan Everett is known for her play at the net, but it was her work serving that broke the first game open. Everett had multiple aces during a span of seven straight service points, as the Fighting Cardinals jumped out to an 18-5 lead in game one. They never let the Lady Pirates get closer than seven points in taking the opener 25-14.

Cumberland started much better in game two, scoring four of the first five points, but the Fighting Cardinals put together another big run. This one was 12-3 to build a 13-7 lead. The Lady Pirates didn’t go quietly, closing to within 15-14, but they could never tie or regain the lead. NCOE then finished off the sweep by scoring 10 of the last 13 points.

The Fighting Cardinals improve to 35-3 and advance to Friday night’s Casey-Westfield Super-sectional where they will face St. Thomas More out of Champaign.