LEXINGTON ? The Kentucky women?s tennis duo of Kim Coventry and Carolina Escamilla begin play in the main draw of the Riviera/ITA All-American Championships on Thursday afternoon at Pacific Palisades, Calif.

The pair is ranked eighth nationally in the preseason after ending the 2005 campaign ranked 20th. Last year, Coventry and Escamilla were Kentucky?s No. 1 doubles team and posted a solid 10-8 record despite not playing together until the Spring.

So far this year, the pair has played together in one tournament, cruising to the doubles crown at the St. Mary?s Classic hosted by Tennessee. They beat two ranked teams on their way to the title.

The Riviera/ITA All-American Championships is one of the collegiate grand slam events. Only 16 doubles teams nationwide compete in the main draw, some after playing their way in through qualifying matches.

The draw has yet to be set for the tournament, which begins Thursday and lasts through Sunday with one doubles round per day. Qualifying doubles matches were still scheduled for late Wednesday.

There is also a singles field that hosts 32 of the nation?s top players.