Jeff Nygaard, Professional Beach Volleyball Player

Was awarded 2003 AVP Most Valuable Player and AVP Team of the Year with partner Dain Blanton. Topped the AVP victory list in 2003, 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. 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. 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). He 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.

Personal: A Wisconsin native, he has one older brother (Brad), who is his role model. Nygaard majored in English at UCLA. He lists candy necklaces as his favorite food, along with double pepperoni and pineapple pizza, and Jason Mraz as his favorite musician. Enjoys singing karaoke to Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire." Cheers is his favorite TV show and his favorite movie is A Lion in Winter. Following the Olympics in Athens in 2004, he married Renee Schindler.

• AVP Most Valuable Player 2003

• AVP Team of the Year 2003

2001

AVP

7

0

0

0

0

1

2

3

$6,700

520

2001

BVA

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

$1,250

24

2002

AVP

7

1

0

0

0

1

2

2

$15,660

629

2003

AVP

8

1

0

0

0

2

1

1,109

2004

AVP

11

1

0

4

0

3

0

2

$29,413

1,199

2005

AVP

4

1

2

1

0

0

0

0

$28,225

639

2003

FIVB

8

1

0

1

1

1

0

2

$43,750

998

2004

FIVB

9

0

0

0

0

0

3

0

$20,750

519

Overall

Red denotes ranked 1st