AUGUSTA, Ga -Augusta Athletics' Mia Saavedra (volleyball) and Andrew Cole (cross country/track & field) have been named nominees for the inaugural Allstate NACDA Fall Good Works Team.

Saavedra and Cole are two of 128 student-athletes nominated for the award.  The award recognizes male and female student-athletes across all divisions and sports who go above and beyond in their commitment to community service, academic achievement, and athletic performance. 

2025-26 NACDA Good Works Team Fall Nominees

Saavedra, from Tampa, Florida, is a junior on the Augusta University volleyball team. As a sophomore in 2024, she appeared in 22 matches and 69 sets for the Jaguars, contributing in multiple phases of the game. Saavedra totaled 190 assists—an average of 2.75 per set—including a season-high 24 assists against Montevallo on Sept. 20. She also added 42 kills on the year, highlighted by an 11-kill performance against Wingate in the NCAA Southeast Regional on Dec. 7. Defensively, she collected 132 digs, with a season-best 14 also coming in the postseason matchup against Wingate. Saavedra added 10 service aces on the year and continues to play a versatile role for the Jaguars on the court.

Cole, from Acworth, Georgia, is a junior distance runner on the Augusta University track & field team. In 2025, he competed in five meets, specializing in the steeplechase and long-distance events. He opened the season with a runner-up finish in the 2000m steeplechase at the Don McGarey Invitational and went on to post a personal-best time of 9:26.67 in the 3000m steeplechase at the Georgia Tech Invitational. Cole placed fourth in the 3000m steeplechase at the Peach Belt Conference Championships and also clocked a season-best 5000m time of 15:11.26 at the Lee University – Fast Break Invitational. A strong performer both on the track and in the classroom, Cole was named to the 2024 PBC Team of Academic Distinction and earned 2024 CSC Academic All-District recognition.

The 2025-26 Allstate NACDA Good Works Team (Fall) nominees represent seven collegiate sports, including soccer, volleyball, cross country, field hockey, and water polo. A selection committee of athletics directors, former athletes, and industry leaders will choose the final 20-member team — 10 female and 10 male student-athletes — set to be announced August 26.

Expanding recognition across all sports
Announced in December, the Allstate NACDA Good Works Team now recognizes 60 student-athletes annually across fall, winter, and spring seasons, surpassing more than 500 nominees during its first year.

About the Allstate NACDA Good Works Team: The Allstate NACDA Good Works Team was established in 2024 to recognize male and female student-athletes across all collegiate sports and divisions for their leadership in community service, academics, and athletics. Building on the legacy of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, which has honored college football players since 1992, this expanded initiative highlights the impact of student-athletes who go beyond the game to serve others.

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