ACA celebrates a trio of athletes
Haleigh Kamer, Sara Larios and Yannick Kabera sign with college programs
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
December 17, 2024
Haleigh Kamer is joined by her parents and ACA head coach Torri Render, Dec. 10, as the senior celebrates continuing her volleyball career at University of West Florida. Photo by Fred McCormick
A trio of Lions were celebrated, Dec. 10, when Asheville Christian Academy hosted a signing ceremony in the East Asheville campus of Biltmore Church.
The event recognized seniors Haleigh Kamer, Sara Larios and Yannick Kabera, as each committed to continue their playing careers at the collegiate level.
ACA Director of Athletics Joe Johnson and coaches welcomed family, teammates and supporters to the church, which has served as the high school’s temporary campus, following Tropical Storm Helene.
“Today, we have three of our best,” Johnson said.
Kamer, a native of Black Mountain, began her volleyball career with the Lions in 2021. As a sophomore, she led her team to a 24-0 record and NCISAA 3A State Championship. She finished her career at ACA with 835 kills, 506 assists and 130 aces in 242 sets played.
Kamer will take the court next fall at the University of West Florida, where Kamer joins an Argonauts program that has qualified for the NCAA Division II women’s volleyball tournament for 18 consecutive years.
“It feels great to know this is actually happening,” she said. “I really wanted to go to a school in Florida, because I plan to major in marine biology, so UWF seems like a great fit for me.”
The daughter of Warren Wilson College head volleyball coach Kristy Kamer, Haleigh’s experience in the gym has played a key role in her development, according to ACA head coach Torri Render.
“Just being a coach’s kid doesn’t automatically make you a better volleyball player, but Haleigh has put in the time and worked incredibly hard to become a better player,” Render said.
The Lions posted a 78-14 record during Kamer’s career, while the Gulf South Conference Champion Argonauts are coming off a 27-6 campaign.
“They have such a successful program, and I knew I wanted to go somewhere that was established,” Kamer said. “I’m really looking forward to being a part of that, meeting new people and the opportunity join a new team.”
Sara Larios
ACA senior guard Sara Larios is surrounded by family members, Dec. 10, as she signs with Lenoir-Rhyne University. Photo by Fred McCormick
As ACA approaches the midpoint of its basketball season, Larios, a senior guard in her fifth year on the varsity roster, committed to suit up for the women’s program at Lenoir-Rhyne University. A member of the 2021-22 Lions state championship team, Larios is a player who is “tough as nails who plays her heart out,” according to her coach, Jonathan Bennett.
“I could not be more proud of Sara and her effort at ACA,” Bennett said. “She is all-conference, all-state and will be all that again, because she’s just that good, athletically.”
Larios has averaged more than 16 points and nearly 5 assists per game in her last 30 contests. She will join a Bears program that finished 22-9 last season.
“I feel a big sense of gratitude,” she said. “It all points to God’s faithfulness, and I’m thankful for this opportunity.”
Larios plans to focus on the remaining 18 games of her high school career, but is eager to join the program at Lenoir-Rhyne.
“I was impressed by the facilities, and particularly the coaching staff, when I visited the campus,” she said. “A lot of the coaches came to my games, which made me feel like the really wanted me to be part of their team.”
She credits her time at ACA with instilling the values she will take to the NCAA Division II program.
“This school has really equipped me with leadership abilities that I don’t believe I would have learned anywhere else,” she said. “They way they fostered my faith changed my perspective on everything, so I can’t thank them enough for all the ways they’ve helped me.”
Yannick Kabera
ACA senior Yannick Kabera will continue his soccer career in the Swannanoa Valley, as he plans to attend Montreat College next fall. Photo by Fred McCormick
Kabera arrived in the Swannanoa Valley from his native Rwanda three years ago, and the area will remain his home as he continues his soccer career nearby, at Montreat College.
The senior Lions forward and defender has displayed remarkable resilience, on and off the field, since enrolling at ACA, according to head soccer coach Brenton Benware.
“A lot of us just sort of move on to high school, but Yannick came to a new high school and country at the same time,” he said. “That is a huge undertaking, but, outside of a few times on the field, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Yannick angry. Around campus, he’s always happy and joyful, and he’s been a breath of fresh air for me.”
Kabera, who completed his career as a Lion with 30 points, 12 goals and 6 assists in 43 matches while amassing 2,169 minutes played, did not need to look far before finding a college that supports his goals on and off the field.
“It’s a good opportunity, because it allows me to play my sport, which I’ve been competing in all my life,” he said. “Another reason I chose Montreat is because I plan to pursue a degree in computer science, and they have a great program there. I feel like it’s an opportunity that is amazing for me.”
His experience at ACA prepared him for the game at the collegiate level, according to Kabera.
“Coach Benware helped me so much with his ability to motivate me,” Kabera said. “His dedication to helping us train and get better is something I truly appreciate.”
As he looks ahead to the next chapter of his career in the sport, Kabera is embracing the challenges ahead.
“Football is never easy, but that is one of the things I like about it. You have to keep pushing yourself, and that’s what I’m going to do,” he said. “I’m also looking forward to studying and staying in this area, where I have been given a lot of support these past few years.”