Needing four games to dispose of Grovetown, which hosted the second-round match, Cartersville won its match 25-18, 25-21, 20-25, 25-14 to advance to the quarterfinals.
"We were the better team," said Lady Canes coach Scott Busby, whose team wasted little time establishing its dominance.
"(They're) middle hitters were tall and they were big. They ran a slower offense than we expected."
Once Cartersville adjusted to the Lady Warriors' slower sets, it seized control of the match, Busby said.
"We really took them out of their game at that point," he continued. "Our girls stayed aggressive, really played exceptionally well, really cut back on unforced errors."
The ninth-year Lady Canes coach talked about his team serving more consistently heading into its match at Grovetown, and Cartersville did just that, only registering eight missed serves -- which came in their Game 4 loss.
"We served exceptionally well. The girls performed well," Busby said. "We won all the loose balls. ... We really have to credit the game to our defense."
Key performers for the Lady Canes included freshman Katie O'Connor (11 kills, four blocks), junior Jessica Boss (11 kills) and seniors Samantha Conley (27 assists, five aces) and Megan Patton (five digs, three aces).
Cartersville's qualification into the Elite 8 -- its fifth such accomplishment in school history -- resonates loudly for a team that begin the season with uncertainty, not to mention an 0-7 start.
"It means everything to the girls. The expectations are always to do as much as you can," said Busby, who acknowledged his young team's slow start.
"Now they're the team that just refuses to lose."
The Lady Canes are now headed for Woodward Academy, as will other Class AAA state quarterfinalists. The field will be re-seeded, Busby said, for the next phase of the tournament, which begins Saturday.
"Everything's great," Busby said of his team's play headed into the weekend. "The girls aren't feeling any pressure, everyone's pitching in. Tonight we ran a 10-man rotation."
When one girl wasn't serving or playing well, the next girl in line was ready to step in.
"They hopped in (and) did the job well," Busby added.
Cartersville (20-14) will know its next opponent Saturday when seeds, and hosts, will be determined.