Virginia hasn't really been good/average in women's hoops since Dawn Staley graduated back in the early 90's. I'd be curious to know how many Sweet Sixteens they've made in the last 30 years; can't be more than one or two. So, before they can become a "powerhouse" program (again), they first have to return to being a good/average program.
When it comes to women's athletic programs as a whole, I'm just not sure UVa has made the (financial) commitment that other programs in the ACC have made over the last several decades. They have not been good at hoops, volleyball, or softball. They won a national title in swimming recently. I believe they've been fairly good in tennis and soccer. I don't follow lacrosse or field hockey, so maybe they excel in those sports.