From Grit to Glory: Hernandez, Somvichian, and LMU’s Historic Rise
4 Minute read
By Andrea Aruino
Junior Forward Maya Hernandez, Guard Mari Somvichian, and the LMU Tigers have been building a winning program for years. This recent season, the Tigers went on to deliver the best conference performance at 15-3 and 21-10 overall, tying the record for most wins in all of LMU women’s basketball history. Hernandez and Somvichian played a part in the team’s nine game winning streak before the team had won the West Coast Conference (WCC) Championship for the first time since the 2003-2004 season against Oregon State in a 71-69 overtime (OT) win. Endless days of preparation, recruiting the right talent, and cultivating a culture that works is what made the 2025-2026 season such a remarkable one.
The Tigers pride themselves on putting the team first and doing whatever it takes to reach their goals. Somvichian embodies this mindset in everything she does, known for leading by example, refusing to cut corners and proving herself as a reliable player who was ready whenever her number was called. When it mattered the most, she was ready for the moment. As the backbone of the team, she knows how to provide her team the energy they need on or off the court whether it's a blowout win or a loss. Learning how to impact the game at every level is how she has proven herself to be an irreplaceable asset for the program.
“Always being whatever my team needs me to be, whether that's in the game or supporting them or giving advice, I think just always being bought into whatever the team really needs to win is what’s important,” Somvichian said about her individual performance this season.
Alongside Somvichian was Hernandez who dominated this season. The 6’0” forward was a force the team needed during the final push of many games, especially the WCC Championship game. Hernandez started all but one game during their 31 game season, and led the team with 23 blocks on top of averaging 14.2 PTS, 5.4 REB, and 1.5 AST per game. Her consistency throughout the season earned her First Team All-WCC honors, making her the program’s first First-Team selection since the 2018–19 season.
“Having faith in everybody on this team was something that was really big for me. Oftentimes the ball either goes in the net or it doesn't. My main goal was to make sure that my teammates knew that they were capable and able to win, and that they needed to believe with their whole heart that they could win any game in conference,” Hernandez emphasized.
Both players emphasized that this season was a long time coming. It was not an overnight sensation, rather years of dedication and focus in order to achieve what they have been working towards. Before winning the championship game, there were some opponents who had historically beaten the Tigers during the regular season including the Gonzaga Bulldogs who they took into double OT on December 28, 2025. Despite losing 80-87, this game was monumental in the way the team fought and was a preview of how the rest of the season was going to unfold. The two teams met again on February 14, 2026 where LMU took the win, 72-63, breaking a 35-game losing streak to Gonzaga. Every win fueled their fight just as much as every loss did and this mindset is what took them all the way to the championship game.
The team’s much awaited game came on February 28, 2026 where they matched up against Oregon. LMU battled until the end with some key players like Jess Lawson who tallied up 21 rebounds to keep the team momentum going. LMU held the Beavers to 16 points in the fourth, outshooting them by eight points before going into OT who they then outscored by a close two points. Hernandez played a critical role in the team’s win leading in scoring with 21 points, scoring four of LMU’s nine total points during OT. It was a matter of concentration and keeping their eye on the prize that eventually won them the championship.
“I think that was extremely gratifying to see all the hard work pay off, all the sacrifices. It definitely made all of it worth it, 100%,” Somvichian said when reflecting on their championship win.
“I mean it was so much emotion, I don't even know if I can explain that feeling but I think it just felt super satisfying and like we worked really hard to get there and not to be not humble or anything but we deserved to win that game, we had put so much energy and effort and I think it just felt satisfying which I guess is the best word to describe it. I’m just super grateful to do it with such an amazing group of people who all have their own stories and histories and then to finally just have that moment of gratitude was really, really, really nice,” Hernandez added on.
Their love for the game shines brighter than any trophy or award ever could. Long before they had reached this point they were putting the work in as early as second and fourth grade. Both players express their gratitude towards Coach Packie Turner who poured an immense amount of confidence into their game, helping build them into the players they are today. Coming back to the gym when they are in the off season helps ground them but keeps them mentally locked in for the season ahead.
As both players enter their senior seasons, they are eager to give just as much energy if not more into every game and repeat the exceptional season they had just this past year. What stands out most about Hernandez is her drive to leave a lasting impact on LMU’s history, something she has already begun to do, with a clear determination to capitalize on that legacy even further. As for Somvichian, she hopes to remain consistent and be the best teammate she can be by leading her younger teammates especially towards a season full of growth. Together, they step into their senior year not just aiming for another successful season, but to define what their final chapter at LMU will stand for.
