LYNDHURST — Before every Lyndhurst volleyball practice, head coach Steve Valhalla calls his players’ attention to the championship banner hanging high on the wall of the gym. He points out the lone title from 1990, the year before he was born.

“We want a ‘2024’ on that banner,” senior outside hitter Yasemin Ugurlu said. “That’s been our goal and our motivation.”

The Golden Bears will get their wish after defeating Mendham, 23-25, 25-11, 25-17 in the NJSIAA North 2, Group 2 final on Tuesday night. They’ll visit undefeated Old Tappan in a Group 2 semifinal on Thursday.

Lyndhurst won its only Group 2 title in 1990 but played in the championship match in 1989 and 1995. The NJSIAA did not award sectional titles back then, expanding the tournament in 2010.

“We had to break the streak. We had the talent to do it,” said senior Asya Akbar, who had a team-high 10 kills, four blocks, two aces and four digs. “We’ve had chemistry for three years. I knew we were going to win because of our chemistry and our bond together, not just our skill.”

But it was young Mendham (18-7) who seemed unfazed early in the sectional final. The Minutemen were able to take advantage of unforced errors and build a quick 9-3 lead, forcing Valhalla to call timeout.

Caroline Brubaker, a 6-foot-3 Mendham junior, forced Lyndhurst to change up its shots when she came into the match. Brubaker, who only plays in the front row, had a team high eight kills and four blocks. Junior Jane Klosowsky added seven kills, six digs and two aces. Minutemen junior setter Brenna Reilly had 18 assists, a kill, a block and three digs.

“I thought this was going to be a rebuilding year,” Mendham coach Maria Castro-Alvarez said, noting the graduation of nine players. “But these girls were so eager to grow, and I realized it was not a rebuilding year. This was a year for us to conquer new heights. It was fun to see what they could do.”

But once top-weeded Lyndhurst settled in, experience took over. The Golden Bears (24-3) built a second-game lead on back-to-back Urgulu aces, then a cross-court kill and a tip for a point from Akar. When junior middle Sofia Hechavarria put a ball down, the Mendham players huddled in the middle of the court.

Hechavarria finished with seven kills and four blocks. Senior setter Kiana Marizan had 20 assists, two aces and three digs.

“When we’re down, everyone gets back up right away,” said Urgulu, who had six kills, two assists, two aces, four digs and four blocks. “I say, ‘Shake it off. We’re still in it.’ We were down 10 points (in the first game), and all I have to say is, ‘Right here,’ and we’re in it.”

Valhalla had a sense Lyndhurst could do big things after the girls won their summer league in Harrison. That’s when he made the sectional title their goal.

The Golden Bears snapped a three-year streak of being eliminated from the postseason by Morris County foes. They have won seven in a row.

“These girls love volleyball,” said the 6-foot-6 Valhalla, choking back tears. “It means a lot, because they work so hard and I’m so proud of them.