Virgin for a Virgin?

Assalaamu alaykum, i was a little puzzled when i read a reponse to a sister's query about virginity and whether it was still proper for her to marry a virgin whilst she was not one? The response was that she should think whether she was deserving of one and that a virgin should be for a virgin and a fornicator for a fornicator...however, isn't it true that once you have sincerely repented from the sin from the bottom of your heart, do not go back to committing it that it is as if you had never committed the sin and are as good as a pious person if not above them? Remember the story that al-Ghazzali narrated about the man that was in love with his neighbour's wife, he repented and the cloud ended up shading him instead of the messenger he was walking with under the hot desert sun?
I don't think it's very encouraging to let a person move on with their life in the path of Allah and be told they are not deserving of a virgin because of something they did in the past which they repented for, how does one know in the first place that the other is a virgin or not? I do not wish to let my emotions override, if you could clarify the matter if one is 'deserving' of a virgin or not whilst they may not be in reality, as terrible as the sin is, but have truly repented and are humble before their Lord? Striving in His path. Jazakum Allahu Khairun.