In 2005, Nygaard teamed with beach Olympian Dax Holdren, winning in Santa Barbara which gave him a domestic victory for the fourth straight season. In 2006 he teamed with indoor Olympian John Hyden, Nygaard's partner in his first ever beach event in 2001, and one of four different Olympians Nygaard has played with on the beach.

He was awarded 2003 AVP Most Valuable Player and AVP Team of the Year with partner Dain Blanton after he topped the AVP victory list with three titles in eight events. Earned his first victory in just his 10th event when he won the 2002 Hermosa Beach Open with Albert Hanneman, becoming one of just three players to win a title since 1986 in his first 10 events.

A two-time indoor Olympian for the United States , Nygaard competed on the beach for the first-time in 2001 appearing in seven AVP events. Was a middle blocker on the 2000 USA Olympic team. Competed on the United States National Team for eight seasons (1993-2000). Played in the Athens Games in 2004 on the beach with Blanton, finishing 19th.

Nygaard ended the 2006 season ranked seventh in blocks (1.68 per game) and fifth in kills (7.43 per game). In 2007 he was eighth in kills (6.91 per game), ninth in hitting percentage (.411) and 10th in blocks (1.44 per game).

He was the first collegiate men's player to receive player of the year honors in two consecutive seasons. Nygaard ended his career as UCLA's all-time leader in aces (123) and ranks second in blocks (650), kills (1,805) and hitting percentage (.427). Nygaard led the Bruins to two national championships (1993 and 1995). He earned post-season honors all four years at UCLA, including first-team recognition for three years (1993-95). He was college volleyball's top freshman in 1992 and MVP in 1994 and '95.