ANTELOPE VALLEY COLLEGE NOTEBOOK: AVC STEPS UP AT TOURNAMENT.

Byline: Sean Ceglinsky Staff Writer

The Concordia University men's basketball tournament, held last weekend, offered spectators an opportunity to see many of the top junior college programs in the state.

And after winning the tournament title Sunday, Antelope Valley College has to be considered one of those elite teams.

``It couldn't be much better,'' said AVC coach Newton Chelette, whose team went 3-0 in the tournament and figures to improve on its preseason rankings of 16th in state and eighth in Southern California.

In the final, AVC matched up against a formidable opponent in L.A. Valley, ninth in the state and fifth in Southern California. AVC won 78-75.

Against Fullerton (12th in the state, sixth in Southern California) in the semifinals, AVC's Kerry Yates' game-winning free-throw with less than 10 seconds remaining gave the Marauders a 74-73 victory.

AVC might have gained all the momentum it needed in the tournament opener, however. By not looking ahead toward the potential big games and focusing on the task at hand, AVC was able to hold off Mt. San Antonio 91-77.

``I judge these tournaments by the quality of the programs involved, and all the teams we played were well coached and talented,'' Chelette said. ``So, it's certainly a good step forward.

``When you beat those good teams, it gives you something to build on. It says something about our program. Now we have to remain focused and keep working.''

After an off day Monday, the team resumed practice in preparation for the Fullerton tournament this weekend.

--Scoring is Fortier's forte: One of the more significant reasons the team has been successful is Trae Fortier's ability to score from inside and outside.

That was evident in the tournament final against Valley, when the 6- foot-6 forward scored a game-high 22 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the field, including three 3-pointers.

``He's a legitimate. He can do it all,'' Chelette said of Fortier, who was named the tournament's most valuable player. ``He can jump, run and defend with the best of them. He's a complete player.''

--Moving on up: In an otherwise disappointing season for the women's volleyball team (3-12, 3-9 Foothill Conference), the play of freshmen Beth Rigby and Portala George was consistent throughout.

Rigby, a libero, had 232 digs, ranking her second on the school's single- season list. With four matches remaining in the regular season, she has a realistic chance of surpassing Jennifer Griego's 1997 total of 301.

George finds herself in a similar position. The 6-foot-1 middle blocker has 65 stuff blocks, fourth on the single-season list. If she maintains her pace, George could move into second place ahead of Victoria Langenohl, who had 74 in 2001. Patrice Munz sits atop the list, with 94 in 2001.