The Virginia Cavaliers didn’t just win an NCAA Tournament game; they etched their name in history with a double-overtime shocker over Iowa and became the first team ever to reach the Sweet 16 from the First Four—all while their fans proudly chant “Wa-Hoo,” a nickname born from 19th-century rival mockery.
The Women’s NCAA Tournament had its first seismic shift on March 23, 2026. In a road game in Iowa City, the No. 10 seed Virginia Cavaliers outlasted the No. 2 seed Hawkeyes 83-75 in double overtime, advancing to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2000.
This wasn’t just an upset; it was a tournament precedent. By beating No. 7 Georgia on March 21 following a First Four victory over Arizona State, Virginia accomplished what no women’s team had before: a run from the preliminary play-in round all the way to the regional semifinals.
For the players and fans now reveling in this triumph, the victory chant “Wa-Hoo” carries a weight deeper than the moment. The team’s alternate nickname, the “Wahoos” (often shortened to “Hoos”), is a centuries-old emblem of reclaimed identity.
A Nickname Forged in Rivalry, Worn as Pride
The “Wahoo” moniker has nothing to do with the school’s official “Cavaliers” name. Its origin traces to the 1890s and Old Dominion’s athletic rivalry with Washington and Lee University. Opposing fans first used “Wahoos” as a derisive label, aiming at University of Virginia students who exuberantly chanted “Wa-hoo-wa” in victory.
The chant’s roots are murky—possibly a play on “wahoo,” a fish known for its fight, or simply a rhythmic yell. But by 1940, UVA students had fully embraced the term, transforming an insult into a badge of honor. The abbreviated “Hoos” has since become the ubiquitous, casual identifier for Cavalier athletes and supporters.
The Sweet 16 Awaits: A Date With TCU
Virginia’s next challenge is set for Saturday, March 28. The Wahoos will face the No. 3 seed TCU Horned Frogs in the regional semifinal, seeking to extend a tournament run already cemented in NCAA lore.
For a program that hadn’t reached this stage in 26 years, the convergence of a historic playoff path and a uniquely local nickname tells a richer story than a single bracket upset. It’s a tale of resilience, echoed in a chant that started as mockery but now celebrates an unprecedented March.
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