The long‑awaited clash between the Old Dominion Monarchs and the Virginia Cavaliers women’s basketball programs is set to resume this fall, marking the end of a seven‑year gap since their last meeting.
Series schedule and stakes
Old Dominion, guided by veteran coach Delisha Milton‑Jones, is chasing a milestone that has eluded the program for nearly two decades: a return to the NCAA tournament. The Monarchs have not danced in March since the 2007‑08 season, a drought that has fueled extra urgency in the upcoming matchups.
Across the state, the University of Virginia’s Cavaliers are entering a new era under first‑year head coach Aaron Roussell. The team rode a Sweet 16 run last season, and Roussell’s fresh staff is looking to build on that momentum as they host the return game in the 2027‑28 campaign.
The series carries historical weight. Old Dominion holds a 19‑16 advantage over Virginia, a lead that stretches back to their inaugural meeting in 1973. The upcoming November 15, 2023 contest in Norfolk will be the first of two scheduled meetings before the next series materializes nearly four years later.
That 2008 encounter remains a vivid memory for Monarchs fans: an 88‑85 overtime thriller that underscored the competitiveness of the rivalry. Old Dominion’s most recent campaign ended at 18‑14 overall, with a 9‑9 mark in the Sun Belt Conference, setting the stage for a fresh push.
While the 2023 game will be played on the Monarchs’ home floor in Norfolk, the Cavaliers will welcome the series back to Charlottesville during the 2027‑28 season, completing a home‑and‑home arrangement that promises renewed excitement for both fan bases.