New York-raised Mark Ribeiro II did not experience homesickness when he joined the University of Hawai'i volleyball team in September 2004.

That's because his parents and two younger siblings also decided to move to Hawai'i.

"You know about soccer moms?" said his mother, Iris. "We were volleyball parents. We always tried to support him."

At the time their son decided to play for the Warriors, Mark Sr. and Iris were looking to sell their successful wellness center in Long Island, N.Y.

"This was the perfect opportunity to support Mark and get a look at another side of the globe," Mark Sr. said. "We're in our 40s. Why wait for paradise when we get older when we can do it now and also get to see Mark play?"

Put to a family vote, the measure passed unanimously.

"It's great to have them out here," Mark II said.

The Ribeiros have made an easy adjustment. Iris works for an auto center. Mark Sr., a nutritionist, is in the process of opening the Anti-Aging Center of Hawai'i.

"This really is paradise," Mark Sr. said. "We lived in a nice place in New York, but Hawai'i is a notch above because of the weather and warmth of the people. We love it here."

Their son's development as a volleyball player also has boosted their spirits. Mark II had spent most of last season practicing with the other redshirts.

"I was on the bottom court trying to get better," he said.

Ribeiro was "athletic," but inexperienced, UH coach Mike Wilton said.

But Wilton said Ribeiro developed into a skilled passer and dependable attacker. At 6 feet 2, he can touch 11 feet, 5 1/2 inches.

Wilton said Ribeiro will be included on the 13-player travel roster for the Warriors' road matches against UC Santa Barbara tomorrow and Saturday.

"Yeah, I'm the 13th guy," Ribeiro said. "I'm so excited to go. Coach gave me a chance. He has faith in me."

Ribeiro made his debut in last week's exhibition against Douglas College of Canada. He had a kill, and was the server for the Warriors' final two points.

"It was so awesome," he recalled. "My mom was so proud of me when I finally got in. I was getting nervous, especially when I served for aloha ball. Everyone was standing up. It was so intense. I was like, 'Oh, please, don't mess up.' "

Mark Sr. said: "That nervousness is a good thing to have. I always tell him, 'Don't be overconfident.' He really wants to learn and get better."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.