Twin Torero Experience: Malina and Maya Hood
The transition to college is an exciting time in any young adult’s life. However, with that excitement comes apprehension. The unfamiliar places, subjects, and people that a new student might meet appear daunting. However, for some Toreros, that journey was made with a familiar face — their twin. In the summer of 2012, 10 sets of twins committed to the University of San Diego — nine stayed at USD past their first year. Each month, the USD News Center is featuring these the twins’ stories, highlighting their shared experiences as well as who they are as individuals, giving them a chance to look back on the journey and contemplate what’s next.
Loud and quiet.
This is how sisters Maya and Malina Hood describe themselves.
“I think many people assume that being a twin means you are the same person, but in reality my sister and I are pretty different and I think that’s what makes us unique,” says Maya.
“It’s great and I love it,” adds Malina, “[but people] should know that I am my own person, even though I’m quiet.”
Malina, currently a senior, will be graduating this May, while Maya, a redshirt junior, will be graduating in spring 2017. Since arriving on campus, these fraternal twins have been active on the University of San Diego women’s basketball team and double trouble as numbers 11 and 22. The USD basketball season opens Nov. 6 with a 6 p.m. exhibition home game against San Diego Christian before its regular season opener Nov. 13 at the University of Nevada-Reno.
When given a chance to look back, both agree that being a twin has had a huge impact on their overall Torero experience.
Growing Up
“Growing up, we did everything together. Every activity and every sport,” admits Maya. “It wasn’t until middle school where we started to [highlight] the differences between us.”
Involved in many of the same outlets, the sisters acknowledge that their opposite personalities were noticeable, even at an early age.
“She was always the more outgoing twin and I kind of let her do all the talking,” says Malina. “Now I’m extremely quiet and she still does most of the talking.”
Despite a desire to promote their uniqueness, neither sister would change the fact that they are twins. “Having a twin is amazing because you always have that person who will be there for you no matter what,” Malina says. “It is hard to describe, but the bond is just a little different than a sibling bond.”
For Maya, being a twin means that she has her best friend with her, whenever she needs support. “Being a twin is something not everyone gets to experience so it is a unique part of who I am. We have an understanding with each other that not a lot of people would get.”
On Campus
When deciding to attend college together, neither Malina nor Maya were worried about coming to the same school. For Malina, her quiet nature meant attending college with her sister was something that would help with the transition.
“My sister was the one who really pushed for going to the same school and I couldn’t imagine being at different schools,” says Maya. “College was definitely something I wanted to experience with [her].”
For both of them, USD seemed like the ideal choice. Close enough to home that family members and friends could attend their basketball games, the beauty of the campus, a sense of community and the athletics program sealed the deal. Living together their first year on campus, both sisters enjoyed the experience.
“It was nice being able to come back at the end of the day to someone you knew and you were comfortable with,” Malina says.
Both agree the most impactful twin experiences thus far have been the ones shared on the basketball court.
“The most memorable moment was getting to play alongside my sister in our West Coast Conference championship game in Las Vegas,” says Maya. “Having my twin as a teammate is definitely one of the best things. Having the opportunity to play the sport that I love while having my sister by my side is something I wouldn't [change] for the world.”
What’s Next?
Interested to see where the next few years take them, both sisters agree, they are probably headed down different paths. Maya, a communication studies major and business marketing minor, hopes to pursue a career in marketing or become a pharmaceutical sales representative. Malina, who is currently studying Industrial and Systems Engineering and who has been active in USD’s National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) chapter, plans to pursue a career in the engineering field.
For both these sisters, being at USD together is something they have enjoyed since they arrived three years ago.
“Having my sister there to support and encourage me was all I needed,” says Maya. Adds Malina, “It’s [been] great and I wouldn’t change a thing.”
— Allyson Meyer '16
Explore this series:
Twin Torero Experience: Katelyn and Michelle McSkane
Twin Torero Experience: Melissa and Michelle Stencil
Twin Torero Experience: Malina and Maya Hood
Twin Torero Experience: Ashton and Kalin Padberg
Twin Torero Experience: Aaron and Jared McCarthy
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