• Norfolk State women’s basketball dominates the MEAC with elite defense, leading the conference in steals, blocks, and turnover margin while chasing another postseason run.
• Anchored by Defensive Player of the Year Jasha Clinton and key contributors like Da’Brya Clark and Carmen Kweti, the Spartans force turnovers and control the paint.
• Under head coach Jermaine Woods, Norfolk State continues its defense-first identity, aiming to translate its championship pedigree into WNIT success.

Defense isn’t just a strategy for the Norfolk State Spartans women’s basketball team—it’s the reason they’ve dominated the Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference (MEAC) in recent years. As the Spartans prepare for the post-season, their ability to protect the rim and force turnovers could once lead them to a WNIT championship.

The Spartans enter the tournament with momentum and experience, having won the last three championships in the MEAC. With a strong defensive unit and several key playmakers, the Spartans have built a reputation for making life difficult for their opponents.

The Spartans have had the number one defense in their conference for five years, maintaining their defensive intensity through a coaching change. Norfolk State averaged 12.7 steals per game, forcing opponents into mistakes and creating extra possessions. They averaged 4.9 blocks per game, showing their ability to protect the paint and disrupt shots.

Several players have contributed to this defensive reign. Senior Guard Jasha Clinton earned the 2025-2026 MEAC Defensive player of the year award. Throughout the season, she played several games where her defense shined, including a season high of nine steals against the University of the District of Columbia. Clinton led the team in steals with 3.4 a game and had 100 in the whole season, which was the most in the MEAC.

Clinton has struggled for consistency in her career, playing 3 years at Temple while seemingly regressing the entire time. After some brief stops in between, Clinton has found consistency averaging over 13 points per game over the last two seasons. That mark was good enough for top 3 in the MEAC

Her impact goes beyond defense. Clinton also averaged 13.3 points and 3.9 assists per game, showing her versatility on both ends of the floor. Head coach Jermaine Woods emphasized her importance to the team, saying, “Jasha’s the engine that makes us go.”

Da'Brya Clark has also been a key defensive presence for the Norfolk State Spartans. The junior guard was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week on January 12th after a strong stretch of performances. During that week, Clark recorded 18 rebounds, six steals, and two blocks in a pair of games against the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks and Delaware State Hornets. Her ability to impact the game in multiple defensive categories helped the Spartans control possessions and limit second-chance opportunities for their opponents.

And since we're talking about defense, we cannot forget about the 6’0” forward who holds it all together. Carmen Kweti leads the team in two categories this season averaging 5.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. During the 2024-25 season at Virginia State University she averaged 11.8 blocks and had a season high of 23 in a game versus the Lincoln University Lions women's basketball team. The former Virginia State defensive player of the year does more than just dominate the paint, averaging 1.1 steals per game.

Norfolk State plays defense as a unit, which forces opposing teams to make a lot of mistakes. The Spartans lead the MEAC in turnover margin at +4.24, meaning their opponents turn the ball over about four more times per game than Norfolk State does. Those extra possessions often turn into scoring opportunities.

Da'Brya Clark has been a key offensive engine, averaging the 2nd most points in the conference. Clark and Clinton occupy the #2 and #3 spot on the MEAC top scorers chart.

The Spartans defensive prowess has been cultivated by new Head Coach Jermaine Woods who was appointed on April 7, 2025. A Norfolk State alum, Woods brings more than a decade of collegiate coaching experience to the Norfolk State Spartans women's basketball program.

Before arriving in Norfolk, Woods spent three seasons as the head coach of the Coppin State Eagles women's basketball team, peaking when he led the team to its best conference record in the 2024–2025 season. That season, he led the Eagles to their most wins since 2012 and a postseason victory in the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). Known for his ability to develop defensive talent, Woods coached two MEAC Defensive Players of the Year during his tenure.

Woods has brought his defensive culture to Norfolk State and now chases a deeper run in the WNIT.

Coach Jermaine Woods talks with Sophomore Center LeAire Nicks. Nicks played 13 games at George Mason as a freshman, before transferring to Norfolk State for this season.

Norfolk State’s formula remains the same: defense first. The Spartan’s ability to disrupt offenses and control the tempo of the game has made them one of the toughest teams to face in the conference.

“My goal is not to change the foundation,” said Woods. “I want to add pieces that elevate it and continue the championship standard.”