CSUN Gym Could Open in 2 Weeks : Facilities: Basketball, volleyball teams play elsewhere until earthquake damage is repaired.

Be it ever so humble, there is no place like home for the Cal State Northridge volleyball and basketball teams.

The Northridge Gym, never a showplace among Southland sports facilities, has nevertheless been sorely missed by Matador athletic teams since it was closed as the result of damage sustained during the Jan. 17 earthquake.

On Tuesday, Northridge coaches and athletes received a glimmer of hope. Their gym is scheduled to be reopened by Feb. 14, Athletic Director Bob Hiegert said.

Until then, Northridge teams will continue to practice and play elsewhere.

The Matador men’s basketball team, which returned from South Bend, Ind., on Tuesday, has secured practice time at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion today and Thursday in preparation for another trip this weekend.

Northridge will play at Cal State Sacramento on Friday night and at California on Monday night.

Still uncertain is the Feb. 10 date at home against Northeastern Illinois. The game will be postponed, canceled or moved to another site.

“I need to get with those people back there and see how bad they really want to play that game,” Hiegert said.

The women’s basketball team has moved its Feb. 8 game from Northridge to Cal State Los Angeles.

The men’s volleyball team will continue to practice at Occidental College. The Matadors play at USC on Friday and in the ASICS Tournament in San Diego Feb. 11-13. CSUN’s next home game is Feb. 18 against Loyola Marymount.

Hiegert said Northridge’s baseball home game Feb. 14 against UCLA also might be moved.