@Pandora Good catch. I missed spotting the OP’s typo.
@JLeslie UVa. has never been considered an Ivy League university. The only people that might consider it a ‘public Ivy’ are people who consider students or faculty snooty. Five family members have graduated from there, and they are all very down to earth.
I wonder ‘Why Virginia?’ as well. Since the OP hasn’t responded yet, it could very well be the desire for a change of climate, exposure to another US culture, Virginia colleges typically have a field hockey team, and most of them have a fairly good reputation.
As for the desire to be close to a beach, there are a number of reasons why one would want the accessibility. The air temperature at Va. Beach is reasonably decent year round, especially for someone from MA. Va. Beach averate air and water temperatures. Beaches are great for running and all sorts of exercise. They are also great for meditation, bird-watching, shell-seeking, oceanic interests, etc.