Freshman Kendyll Severa will part of Southwest's run at a another city championship this season.

Usually when a team comes across two successful seasons in a row, it’s seen as a good era for its school and coach. But when a team claims seven out of the last eight invitational titles and is trying for a third straight city championship, that could be considered a dynasty.

For coach Patty Coffey and the Southwest Junior High freshman volleyball team, winning isn’t everything, it’s just something that seems to come naturally, now and for almost the last decade. Coffey and the Bulldogs have had successful season after season, and it seems like this year may not be any different.

“These girls coming in have plenty of experience to handle what they have coming,” Coffey said. “They’re facing a tougher schedule this season and we made it that way to test them. They have the potential to be the best group of players to walk through here.”

Part of the Bulldog’s schedule involves three different match-ups against Overland Park Aquinas, a team known being a tough challenge during volleyball season. Although it proves to be a tougher schedule than past seasons, Coffey has a few stand-out girls she feels are ready to be tested.

“Kendyll Severa, my starting outside hitter is the girl that seems to be this year’s team leader,” Coffey said. “She’s the all around best athlete, works hard, and I can count on her to play any position and know that she’ll play it well, she can do it all.”

Besides Severa, fellow freshman Mary Schonewise is also a player with plenty of experience alongside Severa as city champions, last season as eighth graders.

“Mary is our workhorse,” Coffey said. “She’s been bouncing around volleyball camps all summer, and plays very aggressive for her height.”

While it seems the team has plenty of potential to make another run, this season will prove to be special one for the Bulldogs. After 25 years of coaching, Coffey is finally stepping away from her post as head coach for the Bulldogs. While stepping down Coffey feels like this season is as good as any to finally retire.

“These girls prove to be one of our most skilled groups of kids to play for Southwest,” Coffey said. “If it’s time for me to leave, I’d prefer to leave with a bang.”

With the season close to being under way, the Bulldogs have already decided the goal this season is to deliver one more City Champion title for Coffey, and hopefully another Ottawa Invitational to go along with it.

“I’m from Ottawa and always like winning that tournament because it’s where I’m from,” Coffey said. “Winning that on my last season would be great.”