Pre-postseason volleyball rankings

Here are the Chronicle's updated girls volleyball rankings exactly one week before most teams begin play in regionals:

10. Aurora Christian. The Eagles pushed Aurora Central Catholic on Wednesday before falling in two games. They could be a factor next week in the 2A Lisle Regional.

9. Kaneland. Sticking with 3A competition in the postseason should give the Knights a fighting chance, but Kaneland has stumbled down the stretch after showing flashes of improvement earlier in the season.

8. Rosary. It hasn't been an easy go for the .500sh Royals this fall, but the Royals have been competitive against some strong opposition, including St. Charles East last week.

7. Batavia. Caitlin Piechota has enjoyed a breakthrough season for the Bulldogs, who landed in the upper half of the WSC despite massive roster turnover from last season.

6. Aurora Central Catholic. The Suburban Christian Conference Gold champion Chargers are the area's best turnaround story under first-year coach Jeanne Czipri.

5. Burlington Central. Time for Stephanie Holthus, Taylor Scully and Co. to see if they can rediscover their postseason magic a year after finishing second in Class 3A.

4. St. Charles North. North is balanced and has plenty of size but will need to show the mental toughness to withstand postseason pressure.

3. St. Charles East. East is as deep a team as there is in the area, which will come in handy with senior Caroline Niski hobbled with an ankle sprain and unlikely to play in regionals.

2. Geneva. Entering tonight's regular season finale against Batavia, the Vikings have steamrolled all WSC comers, but have seen few teams capable of testing them.

1. St. Francis. Peg Kopec has plenty of clout in the volleyball world but not enough to avoid St. Francis winding up in the same 3A sectional as Joliet Catholic. Redbird Arena might feel anticlimactic for the winner of that likely showdown.