Despite a slow start, John F. Kennedy has stormed into the rankings this week on the back of gutty performance Saturday at the Bronx Science tournament. Led by all-tournament selection Ashley Herrera, the Knights fought all the way back from a play-in match to advance to the finals and make their debut this week at No. 10 in the NYC rankings.

Kennedy competes Monday at the Francis Lewis tournament with Archbishop Molloy and Poly Prep and then at Seward Park on Sunday. In between is a loaded Cardozo tournament, headlined by the hosts, Stuyvesant and Bronx Science and some huge CHSAA matches like St. Francis Prep-Fontbonne Hall and Archbishop Molloy-Fontbonne.

Before a monster week, check out the rankings:

1. St. Francis Prep (7-0) (Last week: 1)

The schedule makers weren’t very kind to the four-time defending CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens champion. St. Francis Prep meets its three toughest division foes this week: Fontbonne Hall on Tuesday, Mary Louis on Thursday and Archbishop Molloy on Friday. Winning those three matches in four days will give the Terriers the division title and top seed for the playoffs.

Next: @ No. 7 Fontbonne Hall (Oct. 11, 5:15 p.m.)

2. Cardozo (4-0) (2)

Bayside ended Danny Scarola’s boys team’s long league winning streak back in the spring. Can the Commodores play spoiler again Tuesday? That certainly won’t be an easy match for Cardozo with its second host tournament – featuring Bronx Science and Stuyvesant – coming up Saturday.

Next: Bayside (Oct. 11, 4:30 p.m.)

3. Susan Wagner (5-0) (3)

The only team Wagner has yet to face in PSAL Staten Island A9 – New Dorp – might be its toughest test yet. The Falcons get that challenge of Kaitlin O’Brien and the fellow undefeated Central Cougars on Tuesday night. Wagner is coming off a big bragging-rights win against CHSAA Staten Island’s top team, St. Joseph Hill.

Next: New Dorp (Oct. 11, 5:30 p.m. @ Tottenville)

4. Archbishop Molloy (4-1) (4)

We’ve seen Molloy go toe to toe with St. Francis Prep and outlast Fontbonne Hall in five sets. On Monday, we’ll see how the Stanners do against traditional PSAL powers Francis Lewis and John F. Kennedy, as well as upstate stalwart Fox Lane, at the Francis Lewis tournament. If the Stanners’ early-season performance is any indication, they could win the whole thing.

Next: Mary Louis (Oct. 11, 5:15 p.m.)

5. Bronx Science (5-0) (5)

Elissa Shiau had 22 assists in the championship game against John F. Kennedy and Bronx Science won a second host tournament in three weeks Saturday. The next big test for the surging Wolverines is Saturday at the Cardozo tournament where they have a chance to make a bid for a top-two seed. But they absolutely cannot overlook improved Columbus in league play Tuesday.

Next: Columbus (Oct. 11, 5:30 p.m. @ Kennedy)

6. Stuyvesant (5-0) (6)

For the first time in three years, Stuyvesant beat a team ahead of it – whether it be in a scrimmage, tournament or regular match. In this case it was Cardozo in a scrimmage and it shows Stuy is playing top-notch volleyball heading into the stretch run. Fisher and his girls will be back to Dozo on Saturday for the Queens program’s tournament.

Next: @ Seward Park (Oct. 11, 4:30 p.m.)

7. Fontbonne Hall (4-2) (7)

The first time Fontbonne played St. Francis Prep, it was both teams’ season opener and the Bonnies were struggling without a home gym. Coach Linda Strong’s team still hasn’t gotten consistent practice time, but it will be much better prepared coming into Tuesday’s match with the Terriers. Lauren Ganun, Katie Lang and company will be ready.

Next: No. 1 St. Francis Prep (Oct. 11, 5:15 p.m.)

8. Brearley (6-0) (8)

Mary Claire Bartlett went off for 23 kills and Funmi Adejobi had 30 assists in Brearley’s four-set win over rival Chapin on Wednesday. The Beavers are absolutely rolling in the AAIS and have a quality victory in tournament play over Fieldston. With veterans Bartlett, Adejobi, Catherine Egan and Cassey Carrey leading the way, there’s no doubt which team is the early NYSAISAA favorite.

Next: Marymount (Oct. 12, 4 p.m.)

9. Fieldston (4-0) (9)

After a quiet start, things really heat up for Fieldston in the Ivy League. The Eagles head to Horace Mann on Wednesday and then host Trinity for their Homecoming on Saturday. Collin Henry’s squad is the only team left in the league undefeated and will try to remain that way – this group is bent on an Ivy title after finishing a close third in 2010.

Next: @ Horace Mann (Oct. 12, 4:15 p.m.)

10. John F. Kennedy (4-1) (NR)

This might not be Iris Bromfield’s best team at Kennedy – there’s a lot of youth out there – but these Knights have some serious heart. They battled back from the play-in match Saturday to make it all the way to the Bronx Science tournament final, only to fall against the host squad for the second time this season. JFK is back in action Monday at the Francis Lewis tournament.

Next: Roosevelt (Oct. 11, 4:30 p.m.)

New: John F. Kennedy (4-1)

Dropped out: Cleveland (4-0)

On the bubble: Cleveland (4-0), Mary Louis (3-3), Horace Mann (3-3), Poly Prep (1-2), Hunter College HS (5-0) and Brooklyn Tech (5-0)

CHSAA RANKINGS

1. St. Francis Prep (7-0) (Last week: 1)

2. Archbishop Molloy (4-1) (2)

3. Fontbonne Hall (4-2) (3)

4. Brearley (6-0) (4)

5. Fieldston (4-0) (5)

6. Mary Louis (3-3) (6)

7. Horace Mann (3-3) (7)

8. Poly Prep (1-2) (8)

9. Preston (6-2) (9)

10. St. Joseph Hill (5-0) (10)

On the bubble: Cardinal Spellman (5-2), Bishop Loughlin (6-0), St. Joseph by the Sea (3-2) and St. John’s Prep (6-1)

PSAL RANKINGS

1. Cardozo (4-0) (Last week: 1)

2. Susan Wagner (5-0) (2)

3. Bronx Science (5-0) (3)

4. Stuyvesant (5-0) (4)

5. John F. Kennedy (4-1) (8)

6. Cleveland (4-0) (5)

7. Hunter College HS (5-0) (6)

8. Brooklyn Tech (5-0) (7)

9. Townsend Harris (4-1) (9)

10. New Utrecht (5-0) (10)

On the bubble: Francis Lewis (3-2), Seward Park (3-1), Midwood (4-1), New Dorp (5-0), Tottenville (3-2), Columbus (4-1), Bryant (5-0), Academy of American Studies (4-1), Bard (3-1), Lane (3-1) and Environmental Studies (5-1)

mraimondi@nypost.com