Two members of the Miami Hurricanes’ volleyball family, Ciara Michel and Savanah Leaf, made Great Britain’s Olympic team Friday and will be competing next month in London.

The announcement serves as an excellent early birthday present for former Canes star Michel, who turns 27 on Monday. It’s also stunning news for Leaf, who at 18 is the youngest member of Great Britain’s team.

Leaf, a 6-0 left-side hitter who was born in London and moved to California at age 8, transferred from San Jose State to Miami after last season. The hard-hitting sophomore will make her Canes debut this fall. She said making the Olympics is a dream come true.

“It’s sort of unexplainable the feeling of achieving a life-long goal,” she said by e-mail. “I think any athlete would agree that the Olympics are the top level, and it’s an honor to represent your country.”

Michel, a 6-5 middle blocker who was born in Taunton, England, and went to high school at Miami’s Palmer Trinity, still holds the UM career record for blocks. She made All-ACC second team in 2008 and has played professionally in Australia, Germany and Great Britain.

Walter Villa