Holdren represented the United States with partner Stein Metzger at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, where they finished fifth. The duo were not expected to win medals despite their unexpected win of the silver medal at the 2003 Beach Volleyball World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Holdren and Metzger split as partners following their finish out of the medals in Athens; both Holdren and Metzger are smallish players for beach volleyball and had no plans to continue as partners, leading to Holdren's current pairing with Nygaard. During the 2005 AVP season, Holdren and Nygaard were the second-ranked pair in the league. Holdren himself finished second on the tour in digs with 909. Holdren and Nygaard are still primary partners, but in the 2007 season, Nygaard's treatment for cancer has reduced their play time together. While Nygaard underwent treatment, Holdren partnered with Kevin Wong in several tournaments.